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African Art: United States Fish and Wildlife Service

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MS-115

Scope and Contents

Songye tribal masks and power figures from Congo, Africa. Seized by United States Fish and Wildlife Service while being smuggled into Hartsfield International Airport. Some pieces incorporated materials harvested from endangered species, which were removed. United States Fish and Wildlife Service donated these materials to Valdosta State University Archives in 2011. Thirty-four art pieces distributed across thirty-three item entries; Songye masks, artifacts, and power figures from Congo, Africa. Six additional items were donated by United States Fish and Wildlife service seized upon shipment from Cameroon.  All items are in the African Arts Gallery in display cases on the third floor of Odum Library.

Dates

  • Acquired: 2011-08-26

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Extent

34.00 artifact

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Songye tribal masks and power figures from Congo, Africa. Seized by United States Fish and Wildlife Service while being smuggled into Hartsfield International Airport. Some pieces incorporated materials harvested from endangered species, which were removed. United States Fish and Wildlife Service donated these materials to Valdosta State University Archives in 2011. Another intake of 6 items being smuggled from Cameroon were donated in 2015.

Custodial History

Unknown, 2004 - Fish and Wildlife, 2009 - Albany Art Museum, Fish and Wildlife, Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections.

Source of Acquisition

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta GA

Method of Acquisition

Delivered and recieved in a single installment in August 2011. Deed of Gift: Joseph Porter U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service form number: 3090-0014 Determinning Officer: SWI Debbie Bossie Approving Officer: RAC Darwin Huggins Another shipment of 7 figures and masks (1 damaged) was mailed from US. Fish and Wildlife in 2015.

Appraisal Information

Thirty-four art pieces seized by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service at Hartfield Airport in 2004. Donated to the Albany Art Museum who returned due to lack of space. In 2015, 7 additional pieces (1 damaged) were acquired from a seizure from Cameroon.

Subjects

Classifications

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Archon Finding Aid Title
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Revision Statements

  • 2020-05-05: Revised for DACS compliance by Douglas Carlson.

Physical Storage Information

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections Repository

http://www.valdosta.edu/archives/
Contact:
Valdosta State University Archives, Odum Library
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta GA 31698 US
229-333-7150
229-259-5055 (Fax)

  • Valdosta State University

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