Jay T. Last

Another key donor to the Fowler Museum is Jay T. Last (1929 - 2021), a founder of Silicon Valley. Last's group "the Traiterous Eight" were the first to rigourously study semiconductors and were very successful, leading to Silicon Valley's growth.

Last was interested in collecting West and Central African artifacts, and had a substantial collection. Over his lifetime, he and his wife donated around 660 pieces to the Fowler Museum.

In his description,

I was fascinated by the concept of the Lega society, one without hereditary or elected rulers, unified by a semisecret group, the Bwami Society, whose members rose in prestige and increasing influence as they practiced a highly moral standard of social behavior. ... The emphasis was on harmony in social relationships, circumspection, filial piety, group spirit, obedience, self-discipline and tenacity of purpose. This linking of art with moral culture, the use of art objects to serve as a teaching and inspirational device during Lega ceremonies, added a great deal of meaning to my collection.

X2013.25.84 Lega mask

X2013.25.8 Lega Figure

admin, Post author By. “The Jay T. Last Collection of Lega Art at the Fowler Available Online.” Bruno Claessens, http://brunoclaessens.com/2015/05/the-jay-t-last-collection-of-lega-art-at-the-fowler-available-online/.