African Iron: Bridging Sacred and Secular

African Iron: Bridging Sacred and Secular, curated by Eva Middleton (PhD student, Anthropology, Archaeology track) features African objects housed at SUAC that highlight the history of iron production and craftsmanship across the continent of Africa. Iron smelting and smithing have been crucial parts of economic and spiritual life in Africa for more than 2,500 years. These pieces represent the highly skilled work of blacksmiths from Nigeria, Cameroon, and likely Zambia. Encompassing a broad range of categories such as art, currency, tools, weapons, ceremonial, and religious objects, they represent vital parts of different African societies’ material culture. Here, these objects are intended to raise questions about cultural object collecting and museum practices as well as the intersections of spirituality, political economy, and craft production.

Please note that this exhibit is not open to the public. Faculty, students, researchers, and campus guests may schedule a viewing by contacting us.