Edward M. Nagel Ethnographic Art Collection

Bronze standing figure

The objects in this collection were donated to UC Davis by Edward M. Nagel in 1969. Edward had an early fascination with art, antiquity, and material culture from the heirlooms and antiques passed down through his family in Wuppertal, Germany. He immigrated to New York in 1926, where he worked as a coder and decoder in Wall Street, and later moved to Los Angeles following the stock market crash in 1929. Throughout his successful business career, which gave rise to the Oroweat Baking Company, Edward would visit museums, galleries, and antique stores and was an admirer, collector, and patron of art, particularly ethnographic art.

When it comes to the collection of material culture, the division between art and anthropology is not always clear. This intellectual eddying is exemplified by the fact that Dr. Daniel Crowley was chair of both the Art and Anthropology Departments at the time of the donation. The collection was partitioned between the two departments. For instance, Chinese ceramics went to Art, while African bronzes and wood sculpture went to Anthropology. The division of the artifacts, like the division in the disciplines, reflects the varying associations and intellectual history built around our understanding of objects, as well as the faculty of the departments to house, maintain, and display them.

Showcased here are some of the artifacts donated by Edward Nagel that are curated by the Department of Anthropology Museum at UC Davis. Whether appreciated for their intrinsic form or for the peoples and places they represent, the fact that these artifacts were collected and appreciated by a man of his times is, itself, anthropological.

 

 

Collection Overview

Images of artifacts from time of donation

Bronze receptacle simulating a pomegranate.
Bronze receptacle simulating a pomegranate.
Antique Indian bronze mongoose with cobra.
Antique Indian bronze mongoose with cobra.
Antique Indian bronze stylized bird. From Tibet, China.
Antique Indian bronze stylized bird. From Tibet, China.
Netsuke, from late 19th/ early 20th century Japan.
Netsuke, from late 19th/ early 20th century Japan.
Netsuke, from late 19th/ early 20th century Japan.
Netsuke, from late 19th/ early 20th century Japan.
Netsuke, from late 19th/ early 20th century Japan.
Netsuke, from late 19th/ early 20th century Japan.
Jade seal with pierced handle from Japan.
Jade seal with pierced handle from Japan.
Steatite seal, surmounted by Kylin. From Japan.
Steatite seal, surmounted by Kylin. From Japan.
Bronze elephant with rider figurine. From Tibet, China.
Bronze elephant with rider figurine. From Tibet, China.
Antique Indian bronze multi-armed figure standing with a dog.
Antique Indian bronze multi-armed figure standing with a dog.
Antique Indian bronze dancing figure standing with a ball in its hand.
Antique Indian bronze dancing figure standing with a ball in its hand.
Tibetan brass rouge pot with appliqued diapered loop designs and globular form.
Tibetan brass rouge pot with appliqued diapered loop designs and globular form.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze figure, from the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze figure, from the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Jade amulet from Archaic Sikkada, Ming Dynasty, China.
Jade amulet from Archaic Sikkada, Ming Dynasty, China.
Ashanti (Asante) ivory bracelet; cylindrical segment with pierced diapered paneling. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Ashanti (Asante) ivory bracelet; cylindrical segment with pierced diapered paneling. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Small Ashanti (Asante) bronze drum. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Small Ashanti (Asante) bronze drum. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Tibetan leather flint container with applique of silver, set with jade.
Tibetan leather flint container with applique of silver, set with jade.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze bracelet. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze bracelet. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze bracelet. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze bracelet. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Bronze bracelet from the Ashanti and Baule territories of Southern Ghana and Central Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.
Bronze bracelet from the Ashanti and Baule territories of Southern Ghana and Central Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.
Bronze bracelet from the Ashanti and Baule territories of Southern Ghana and Central Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.
Bronze bracelet from the Ashanti and Baule territories of Southern Ghana and Central Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze bracelet.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze bracelet. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Bronze spike with mask and appliques of guinea hens. From Yoruba Ethnographic Territory, Southwestern Nigeria and Bénin, West Africa -Late 18th/ Early 19th century.
Bronze spike with mask and appliques of guinea hens. From Yoruba Ethnographic Territory, Southwestern Nigeria and Bénin, West Africa -Late 18th/ Early 19th century.
Antique ivory standing female figure with partially truncated arms. From the Belgian Congo, West Africa.
Antique ivory standing female figure with partially truncated arms. From the Belgian Congo, West Africa.
Ashanti bronze figure of male with a sword.
Ashanti bronze figure of male with a sword. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana, West Africa
Ashanti bronze figure of a man beating a drum.
Ashanti bronze figure of a man beating a drum. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana, West Africa.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze female figure with fish eyes.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze female figure with fish eyes. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Ashanti bronze seated figurine.
Ashanti bronze seated figurine. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana, West Africa.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze standing figure.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze standing figure. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Ashanti bronze standing figure of a man beating a drum.
Ashanti bronze standing figure of a man beating a drum. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana, West Africa.
Ashanti bronze figure of man holding sticks over his head.
Ashanti bronze figure of man holding sticks over his head. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana, West Africa.
Ashanti bronze figure of man with a walking stick.
Ashanti bronze figure of man with a walking stick. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana, West Africa.
Ashanti bronze figure
Ashanti bronze figure
Ashanti bronze figure playing a flute.
Ashanti bronze figure playing a flute. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana, West Africa.
Bronze sculpture/figure in pornographic position. West Africa.
Bronze sculpture/figure in pornographic position. West Africa.
Bronze sculpture/figure in pornographic position.
Bronze sculpture/figure in pornographic position. West Africa.
Bronze sculpture/figure in pornographic position. West Africa.
Bronze sculpture/figure in pornographic position. West Africa.
Bronze sculpture/figure in pornographic position.
Bronze sculpture/figure in pornographic position. West Africa.
Ashanti (Asante) small bronze face.
Ashanti (Asante) small bronze face. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Ashanti bronze figure with a loaf of bread on his head and a knife in his mouth.
Ashanti bronze figure with a loaf of bread on his head and a knife in his mouth. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana, West Africa
Miniature ivory head from Yoruba Ethnographic Territory, Southwestern Nigeria and Bénin, West Africa.
Miniature ivory head from Yoruba Ethnographic Territory, Southwestern Nigeria and Bénin, West Africa.
Carved ivory handle with cross-hatched incised work and holes for mounting. From the Yondo-Oro-Ogboni Society of the Yoruba ethnographic territory of Southwestern Nigeria, West Africa.
Carved ivory handle with cross-hatched incised work and holes for mounting. From the Yondo-Oro-Ogboni Society of the Yoruba ethnographic territory of Southwestern Nigeria, West Africa.
Antique bronze rattle with scrolled ornamentation. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana, West Africa.
Antique bronze rattle with scrolled ornamentation. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana, West Africa.
Nok figure of green stone from the Nok Figurine Culture of the Benue Plateau of central Nigeria, between about 500 BC and AD 200.
Nok figure of green stone from the Nok Figurine Culture of the Benue Plateau of central Nigeria, between about 500 BC and AD 200.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze dog-like animal figurine.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze dog-like animal figurine. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Ashanti (Asante) small bronze face.
Ashanti (Asante) small bronze face. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze figure seated under a canopy, from the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze figure seated under a canopy, from the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Ashanti bronze figure.
Ashanti bronze figure. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana, West Africa.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze turtle figurine.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze turtle figurine. From the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Bronze chain.
Bronze chain.
Standing female wooden figure with scarification marks. From the Baule territory of Central Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.
Standing female wooden figure with scarification marks. From the Baule territory of Central Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.
Madonna and child wooden carving. From the Baule territory of Central Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.
Madonna and child wooden carving. From the Baule territory of Central Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.
Carved wood female figurine with pointed headdress. From Yoruba Ethnographic Territory, Southwestern Nigeria and Bénin, West Africa.
Carved wood female figurine with pointed headdress. From Yoruba Ethnographic Territory, Southwestern Nigeria and Bénin, West Africa.
Bakota Tribal Totem in the shape of a mask. Copper and brass construction.
Bakota Tribal Totem in the shape of a mask. Copper and brass construction. From Bakota, Gabon, West Africa.
Bronze standing figure.
Bronze standing figure. From 19th Century Benin, West Africa.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze female figure.
Ashanti (Asante) bronze female figure, from the Ashanti territory of Southern Ghana.
Carved wood heddle pulley with a bird motif from Senufo Ethnographic Territory, Northern Côte d'Ivoire and Mali, West Africa.
Carved wood heddle pulley with a bird motif from Senufo Ethnographic Territory, Northern Côte d'Ivoire and Mali, West Africa.
Seated female wood figurine with scarification markings.
Seated female wood figurine with scarification markings. From the Baule territory of Central Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa
Wooden gambling beads and board. The board is carved wood with stylized geometric and grain motifs along the borders.
Wooden gambling beads and board. The board is carved wood with stylized geometric and grain motifs along the borders. From Africa.
Cast bronze skewer staff, surmounted by a figurine seated on the back of an animal.
Cast bronze skewer staff, surmounted by a figurine seated on the back of an animal. From Yoruba Ethnographic Territory, Southwestern Nigeria and Bénin, West Africa.
Ceramic Funerary bowl from 12th century Cambodia, Southeastern Asia.
Ceramic Funerary bowl from 12th century Cambodia, Southeastern Asia.
Ceramic Funerary bowl; from 12th century Cambodia, Southeastern Asia.
Ceramic Funerary bowl; from 12th century Cambodia, Southeastern Asia.
Carved female wood figurine with scarification markings.
Carved female wood figurine with scarification markings. From the Baule territory of Central Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.
Female wooden figure holding a bowl.
Female wooden figure holding a bowl. From Yoruba Ethnographic Territory, Southwestern Nigeria and Bénin, West Africa
Standing female carved wood figure from Yoruba Ethnographic Territory, Southwestern Nigeria and Bénin, West Africa.
Standing female carved wood figure from Yoruba Ethnographic Territory, Southwestern Nigeria and Bénin, West Africa.
Seated female carved wood figure from Senufo Ethnographic Territory, Northern Côte d'Ivoire and Mali, West Africa
Seated female carved wood figure from Senufo Ethnographic Territory, Northern Côte d'Ivoire and Mali, West Africa
Etruscan bronze fibula (pin) with greenish patina and engraved bodies. From circa 5th to 6th century B.C.
Etruscan bronze fibula (pin) with greenish patina and engraved bodies. From circa 5th to 6th century B.C.
Etruscan bronze fibula (pin) with greenish patina and engraved bodies. From circa 5th to 6th century B.C.
Etruscan bronze fibula (pin) with greenish patina and engraved bodies. From circa 5th to 6th century B.C.
Etruscan bronze fibula (pin) with greenish patina and engraved bodies. From circa 5th to 6th century B.C.
Etruscan bronze fibula (pin) with greenish patina and engraved bodies. From circa 5th to 6th century B.C.
West African wooden comb constructed of engraved brass with chain attachment.
West African wooden comb constructed of engraved brass with chain attachment.
West African wooden comb with incised geometric carvings.
West African wooden comb with incised geometric carvings.
West African wooden comb with wire-work wrapping.
West African wooden comb with wire-work wrapping.
West African aluminum comb with star-shaped rosette handle.
West African aluminum comb with star-shaped rosette handle.
West African wooden comb with wire-work wrappings.
West African wooden comb with wire-work wrappings.
West African wooden comb with wire-work wrappings
West African wooden comb with wire-work wrappings.
West African wooden comb with incised geometric carvings.
West African wooden comb with incised geometric carvings.
West African wooden comb with incised geometric carvings.
West African wooden comb with incised geometric carvings.
West African wooden comb with raffia binding of geometric designs.
West African wooden comb with raffia binding of geometric designs.
West African wooden comb with raffia binding of geometric designs.
West African wooden comb with raffia binding of geometric designs.
West African wooden comb.
West African wooden comb.
Antique Indian Bronze Elephant
Antique Indian bronze. Elephant-headed deity with four arms.

Collections by Culture Area

Follow a link below to learn more about the artifacts from a specific culture area.

Senufo Art Gallery

The Senufo society is one of contrast - between men and women, farmers and artisans, public and secret society. In Senufo culture, farmers make the predominant social class, with artisans and musicians living among the farming villages, with their own class-specific economies, magics, and sometimes even dialects. Men and women lived partially separated lives in gender-specific secret societies, the ​poro and sandogo, coming together, each with their own contributions necessary for ceremony and balance.

Senufo Figurines

 

Map of Senufo territory

 

Edward Nagel

Edward Nagel (1905-1996)

Edward M. Nagel had a lifelong interest in world art. He served as a commissioner of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco and liberally donated to many museums and institutions from his collection.  In 1992, his eponymous foundation was founded, providing funding to universities to grant scholarships to disadvantaged students majoring in business and related fields, including the business aspects of art programs.