THE GERALD PERRY AFRICAN ARTIFACTS COLLECTION GALLERY
The Perry African artifact collection includes more than 100 authentic African tribal items, collected in and around the Ivory Coast in the early 1960s by Gerald Perry, an American military attaché (in this case, a spy), who was assigned to the Ivory Coast to monitor Communist Party activities in the new African nations. For serious inquiries only, we will happily provide larger, more detailed images. Please contact us with requests. Thank you very much for your understanding.
Spears and Staffs (3)
Two Mossi spears: Wood shafts and metal blades with incised geometric designs. Both are 68 inches long. Origin: Ouagadougou.
Chief’s staff: Carved figural finial wood and metal staff with painted black stripes. 64 inches long. Figure: 12 inches high x 3 inches wide x 3.5 inches deep.
Ivory (13)
Baton: Ivory with tapered shape, minimal black detail and twisted handle. 20 inches long x 0.75 inches diameter.
Bobbins or Heddle Pulleys: Ivory, with carved faces. 5-7 inches long x 1.75 to 3.5 inches wide.
Bracelet and Earrings: Two pairs of ivory clip-style earrings and one ivory bangle, all with no decoration. Earrings: 0.75 inches diameter. Bracelet: 3.25 inches diameter.
Necklace: Graduated ivory beads, 14 inches long.
Carved heads: Two carved heads. Ivory head with headdress, on base, 3 inches tall. Dark head with neck, most likely clay with ivory-colored ivory inlays (most likely not actual ivory), and brass earrings, 4 inches tall. Inscription (artist name) of “Ravello” on bottom of clay base.
Bracelet: Ivory, 3.25 inches wide x 2.25 inches tall x 0.5 inches thick.
Masks (4)
Baule wood mask with hornbills. 15.5 inches long x 6.5 inches wide x 3.5 inches deep.
Baule wood mask with red face. 7.25 inches long x 4.5 inches wide x 3 inches deep.
Senufo wood mask. Worn area inside, indicating that it was possibly culturally used. 12.75 inches long x 6 inches wide x 3.25 inches deep.
Dan wood mask. 8 inches long x 5 inches wide x 2.5 inches deep.
Brass and Copper (28)
Anklets: Four brass “currency” anklets. Approximately 5.5 inches wide x 2.25 inches high.
Bracelets: Brass. Largest: 6 inches wide x 2 inches high x 4 inches deep. Two smaller: 3.5 inches wide x 1.5 inches high x 3 inches deep.
Brass weights: 17 Asante figural and geometric weights.
Brass weight balance: Two pieces. Bottom base is a woman holding a child. Child is holding an ivory stick. Upper balance is a male figure with tail and outstretched arms. Combined height for both pieces is 13.75 inches.
Alligator: Brass, 6 inches long.
Mask: Dan copper “passport” mask. 5.25 inches long x 3.75 inches wide.
Brass monkey in palm tree, on base: Monkey climbing palm tree, on wooden base. 5.5 inches tall.
Textiles and Cloth (3)
Wall hanging: Dahomey style appliqued cloth. 60 inches high x 42 inches wide.
Kente cloth: Asante, 60 inches long x 18 inches wide. (Third photo is detail of Kente cloth.)
Art/Painting (1)
Original oil painting: Elegant wood frame. Dimensions with frame 21.75 inches tall x 25.75 inches wide. Appears to be signed by “F. Kireiba”; origin unknown.
Wooden Sculptures and Drum (7)
Headdress: Bamana (Bambara) chiwara antelope (male) wood carving. 34 inches high (without stand) x 10 inches wide x 2.5 inches deep.
Equestrian figure: Senufo man on horse, holding the reins and a knife. 10.75 inches high x 5 inches deep x 3 inches wide. Note — tip of the knife is broken off.
Antelope: Sculpture of antelope with arching neck. 9.5 inches high x 6.5 inches wide x 5.5 inches deep.
Caryatid Bowl: Hunchback figure bearing a bowl (perhaps Baule). 25 inches high x 5.5 inches wide x 8 inches deep.
Drum with Beater: West African “talking drum. Wood, skin, and leather. 17 inches high x 7 inches diameter.
Bobbin or Heddle Pulley: With carved face. 5-7 inches long x 1.75-3.5 inches wide.
Drum Beaters: Wood, cloth and string with incised geometric decorative elements. Two sizes: 11 inches high x 2.5 inches wide, and 10.5 inches high x 2 inches wide.
Headdress: Bamana (Bambara) antelope, female with child. 26.5 inches high (without stand) x 8 inches wide x 2.25 inches deep.
Historical Papers and Photos (50+)
More than 50 documents, letters, photos and other items show Gerry and Dorothy’s time in the Ivory Coast and surrounding countries. From top left: Gerald Perry and Charles de Gaulle at a military ceremony, letter of commendation from the U.S. Army to Gerald for his service in the Ivory Coast, Dorothy’s journal entry describing her first impressions of Abidjan, the artifact collection back in the U.S., photos of Gerald and Dorothy’s house and Volkswagen Beetle in Abidjan, receipt from Ambassador Hotel in Ghana, Abidjan and Ghana arts and crafts guides, 1960s African postcards, international driving permits for Gerald and Dorothy, and Dorothy dancing at a military ball.