African Art Search Results

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Type: vessel

Ethnic Group: Kuba (Bakuba)

Country: Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

ECU Number: L0069-A

Description: These four wood cups are carved from one piece of dark wood with patina. The surfaces are carved with geometric Kuba designs and the handles with stylized human heads, with attached fiber cords. Such cups, generally made from mahogany or ebony wood and rubbed with palm oil or tukula powder, were used in ceremonies for drinking palm wine from raffia palm trees. Provenance: Kuba royal family

Significance researched to date: The craftsmanship of utilitarian objects such as cups, bowls, and spoons often signified the status of their owners, and were used as symbolic ÒvesselsÓ to preserve the rich ÒwatersÓ of the culture. Carved wooden cups with elaborate handles of stylized human heads or figures were valuable to the Kuba, who used them in ceremonies to drink palm wine made from raffia palm trees. Such cups also became popular with Western collectors in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. When plastic and metal dishes became available, these wooden cups became more rare and increased in value. When traveling, men carried their own cup tied to their waist by a thick cord. Wood cups were generally made from mahogany or ebony wood and rubbed with palm oil or tukula powder. This cup was made from a single piece of wood, with a carved surface of Kuba geometric patterns. It has a stylized human figure on the handle and a piece of twisted fiber cord used for hanging it. It belonged to the royal family.(Wilson interview, Hultgren, 72-74)

Type:	vessel
Ethnic Group:	Kuba (Bakuba)
Country:	Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
ECU Number:	L0069-A

Description:	These four wood cups are carved from one piece of dark wood with patina. The surfaces are carved with geometric Kuba designs and the handles with stylized human heads, with attached fiber cords. Such cups, generally made from mahogany or ebony wood and rubbed with palm oil or tukula powder, were used in ceremonies for drinking palm wine from raffia palm trees. Provenance: Kuba royal family
Significance researched to date:	The craftsmanship of utilitarian objects such as cups, bowls, and spoons often signified the status of their owners, and were used as symbolic ÒvesselsÓ to preserve the rich ÒwatersÓ of the culture. Carved wooden cups with elaborate handles of stylized human heads or figures were valuable to the Kuba, who used them in ceremonies to drink palm wine made from raffia palm trees. Such cups also became popular with Western collectors in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. When plastic and metal dishes became available, these wooden cups became more rare and increased in value. When traveling, men carried their own cup tied to their waist by a thick cord. Wood cups were generally made from mahogany or ebony wood and rubbed with palm oil or tukula powder. This cup was made from a single piece of wood, with a carved surface of Kuba geometric patterns. It has a stylized human figure on the handle and a piece of twisted fiber cord used for hanging it. It belonged to the royal family.(Wilson interview, Hultgren, 72-74)