Related Records

1. 1965.024 - Dulcimer

   This bass dulcimer was crafted by Philip L. Hamer of Kingsport, Tennessee. The dulcimer is comprised of ash wood with steel strings. There is a green and white rectangular sticker inside of the dulcimer. Text is stamped on the sticker that reads: "Philip L. Hamer / 1216 Morningside / Kingsport Tenn #11." Additionally, "#11" is written on the interior of the dulcimer just below the sticker, likely indicating that this is the 11th dulcimer cr...

   Record Type: Object

   
2. 1970.001.216 - Dulcimer

   This mid-sized wooden dulcimer is believed to have been made around 1950. It is made from fruitwood, rosewood, and luan, with leather details. This dulcimer was donated by Nat T. Winston Jr. in 1970.

   Record Type: Object

   
3. 1970.001.327 - Dulcimer

   This handmade dulcimer features a "face" carved into the neck of the instrument. Commonly heard in traditional American music, the dulcimer took on its current configuration in Appalachia, and is usually plucked or strummed with picks, feather quills, or the musician's fingers. The date of this dulcimer is questionable - some research has shown that it could date back to the 1840s, while some scholars have estimated it was made between 1900 ...

   Record Type: Object

   
4. 2004.003.029 - Pillowcase

   This is a commemorative pillowcase from that belonged to a serviceman who served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII. The pillowcase features a blue background with vibrant yellow fringe. There are segments of text and corresponding images printed on the central blue square of the pillowcase, within the borders of the yellow fringe. The text segments and images are printed in yellow to match the border fringe. One of the text segments is a poem...

   Record Type: Object

   
5. 2006.006.008 - Autoharp

   This autoharp is mounted onto its case. It belonged to "Pop" Stoneman. The following research excerpt was submitted by a Reece Museum volunteer in November 2024. The research sources used to write this submission can be made available upon request. "William Theodore (Bill) Becker was born in 1936 in Champaign, Illinois where he attended University High School. Becker received his Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Il...

   Record Type: Object

   
6. 2016.009.001 - Figurine

   This is a wooden bull carved from ebony wood. The figurine is painted black and features white painted eyes. It is missing one horn; the other horn is attached with glue. This carving was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was donated to the Mars Hill University Archives in 1961. This collection was later transferred to the Reec...

   Record Type: Object

   
7. 2016.009.002 - Figurine

   This is a carved wooden lion, made from one piece of darker wood. It is carved in a position as if it is preparing to pounce, with its legs in a crouching position and its tail between its back legs. It has white eyes painted like bulls-eyes and four applied ivory teeth. This carving was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was do...

   Record Type: Object

   
8. 2016.009.003 - Broom

   This is a small, wood corn broom with thick bristles originating from Africa. This broom does not contain a wooden handle, but has two sets of weaving near the top to keep it together. This broom was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was donated to the Mars Hill University Archives in 1961. This collection was later transferred ...

   Record Type: Object

   
9. 2016.009.004 - Figurine

   This is a wooden carving of a man with a beaded necklace. The man appears to have his eyes closed and a neutral expression. He is carved with textured hair and intricate details in his torso area. His beaded necklace is secured by a white string around his neck. This carving was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was donated to ...

   Record Type: Object

   
10. 2016.009.005 - Figurine

    This is a carved wooden monkey figurine standing on three legs with one in its mouth. Its feet are glued to the carved base made from the same wood. The wood is reddish in color with some varnish. All features of this figurine are carved. This carving was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was donated to the Mars Hill University ...

    Record Type: Object

    
11. 2016.009.006 - Basket

    This is a woven, shallow bowl basket. This basket is yellow and patterned with green zig-zag stripes. There is a small tan spot at the inside of the basket in the center. This basket was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was donated to the Mars Hill University Archives in 1961. This collection was later transferred to the Reece...

    Record Type: Object

    
12. 2016.009.007 - Statue

    This carving is a wooden black statue that has been hand carved out of various pieces of similar wood and attached (such as the arms and head and staff). A piece of white string has been tied around the torso of this carving. The man stands with his right hand on his hip and holds a staff in his left. He stands on a small, square-shaped platform. This carving was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associate...

    Record Type: Object

    
13. 2016.009.008 - Figurine

    This wooden carved elephant has ivory tusks and stands on a wooden base. This carving was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was donated to the Mars Hill University Archives in 1961. This collection was later transferred to the Reece Museum in 2016.

    Record Type: Object

    
14. 2016.009.009 - Mortar, Grain

    This is a grain mortar, used as a vessel for making corn meal. There is a burned-in design of dots and lines across the middle of the mortar and a large black stripe below these patterns. The mortar stands on a small base. Mortars have been prevalent in African homes for thousands of years for grinding grain, herbs, medicines, and more. This mortar was carved from a single piece of wood. It has burned designs in it to decorate it which is com...

    Record Type: Object

    
15. 2016.009.011 - Ladle, Serving

    This is a hand-carved shallow ladle made from one piece of light brown wood. "22" is stamped on the back of the handle. There are a number of darker areas in the natural grain of the wood. This ladle is uncharacteristically plain as most cultures decorate even everyday utilitarian pieces with carvings that have meaning or simply entertain. This ladle was originally donated to the Mars Hill University Archives before it was transferred to t...

    Record Type: Object

    
16. 2016.009.012 - Eggcup

    This is an African egg holder that has been hand carved from one piece of wood. It has been made from light wood and uses no varnish. It contains a dug out center which is still rough and stands on a smaller base. Such egg cups were most likely used by Europeans visiting or living on the continent--they aren't considered common household items in Africa. This artifact was originally donated to the Mars Hill University Archives before it wa...

    Record Type: Object

    
17. 2016.009.013 - Figurine

    This wood carving appears to be a napkin ring made of light wood and features little varnish. The carving appears to be a monkey with its paws clasped together. It is sitting on top of the holder. This item was probably created for the tourist trade or for local hotels serving tourists. This artifact was originally donated to the Mars Hill University Archives before it was transferred to the ETSU Reece Museum c. 2016. This artifact was acq...

    Record Type: Object

    
18. 2016.009.014 - Ladle, Serving

    This is a cooking ladle with a small, round hole that is hollow and centered in the gourd-shaped body of the ladle. There is a small hole at the top of the handle so that the ladle can be hung/suspended. The ladle is a red-brown hue that has darkened in color due to use. This ladle was originally donated to the Mars Hill University Archives before it was transferred to the ETSU Reece Museum c. 2016. This ladle was acquired in the mid-20th cent...

    Record Type: Object

    
19. 2016.009.015 - Pick, Hair

    This is a hand-carved hair pick that is made from light wood with no varnish. It contains ten tines and carvings on both sides featuring X's and patterns of four dots, which could be wood burned, and a diamond shaped knob at the top. This hair pick was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was donated to the Mars Hill University Arc...

    Record Type: Object

    
20. 2016.009.016 - Hairbrush

    This is a hand-carved hairbrush with a wooden handle and metal implanted rings as bristles. Both sides are decorated with wood-burned dots and lines. There is a small hole at the bottom of the handle, presumably for threaded with a fiber for suspension purposes. This hairbrush was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was donated to...

    Record Type: Object

    
21. 2016.009.017 - Pick, Hair

    This is a hand carved hair pick made from light wood with light varnish six tines. It has a square handle with rounded ends and light decoration on one side, mainly consisting of crossed lines and small dots. One of the tines on this pick is notably shorter than the others. This hair pick was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts wa...

    Record Type: Object

    
22. 2016.009.018 - Saltshaker

    This is a hand carved saltshaker made of light colored wood. This saltshaker uses no varnish, but has wood burned square and stripe decorations on all sides and stretched leather over the top with holes punched in. The leather over the top is held in place with small wooden pegs. This artifact was originally donated to the Mars Hill University Archives before it was transferred to the ETSU Reece Museum c. 2016. This artifact was acquired in t...

    Record Type: Object

    
23. 2016.009.019 - Bust

    This is a mid-sized carved wooden bust. This bust is finished with a dark brown varnish and there are several black or darkened portions noticeable throughout, offering a marbled visual texture. The figure has short, textured hair and is wearing a neutral expression. This bust was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was donated t...

    Record Type: Object

    
24. 2016.009.020 - Bust

    This carving is a wooden bust of an African woman shown from the shoulders up. This piece is carved from one piece of wood and is positioned on a stand. The woman in this carving is shown with braided hair and a youthful appearance. The carving appears to be finished with a dark brown varnish. This bust was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of Afri...

    Record Type: Object

    
25. 2016.009.021 - Bust

    This is a small wooden carved bust originating from Africa. This bust is likely of a bearded man. His eyes are likely closed and his head appears mostly bald. This bust is finished with a dark brown varnish. This bust was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was donated to the Mars Hill University Archives in 1961. This collection...

    Record Type: Object

    
26. 2016.009.022 - Bust

    This is a wood-carved bust of a feminine figure. The feminine figure has her hair tied back and she appears to be wearing ear adornments. Her eyes are open and she wears a serious expression. She is finished with a light brown varnish. This bust was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was donated to the Mars Hill University Archi...

    Record Type: Object

    
27. 2016.009.024 - Pillow

    This is a light brown wooden pillow for sleeping. This pillow contains a shelf attached to a stand, with the headpiece being supported on either side by the stand, with several burned areas for decoration on the headpiece. In general, head rests were used to protect heads from the ground while resting and to protect hairstyles. In some cases, they are also used as seats. This artifact was originally donated to the Mars Hill University Archi...

    Record Type: Object

    
28. 2016.009.025 - Masher

    This wooden rod is a masher that is larger at one end than the other. There is a burned and carved design on the larger end. There is a note in pen under the design that says: "garden tool for potatoes." The number 20 is written in pen above the design. The design of this pestle masher suggests that it may have accompanied the grain mortar (artifact 2016.009.009). This masher was originally donated to the Mars Hill University Archives before i...

    Record Type: Object

    
29. 2016.009.026 - Basket

    This is a small basket woven from plant material, possibly sisal, jute, or grasses. The basket is twined with flexible weavers dyed with bright pink and green making rows of vertical stripes on a yellow background. The basket is rounded and has two loops for an attached long braided strap. This basket is very small and was bought as a souvenir in East Africa. It might have been based off of larger bolga pot baskets used for shopping at markets...

    Record Type: Object

    
30. 2016.009.027 - Ax

    This is a wooden ax consisting of a metal triangular ax head positioned within a bulbous wooden base. The handle and head of this ax have been burned darker than the original shade of the wood. Penned letters "BC" or "BT" are visible underneath the burned end of the ax. This ax was acquired in East Africa between 1957 and 1977 by missionaries who were associated with Carson-Newman University. Their collection of African artifacts was donated t...

    Record Type: Object