African Art Search Results

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Type: vessel

Ethnic Group: Kuba (Bakuba)

Country: Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

ECU Number: L0070-A

Description: These three wood cups, sculpted in the form of human heads, have tukula pigment.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. These three wood cups, sculpted in the form of human heads, have tukula pigment. They belonged to the royal family.(Wilson interview, Hultgren, 72-74)

Type:	vessel
Ethnic Group:	Kuba (Bakuba)
Country:	Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
ECU Number:	L0070-A

Description:	These three wood cups, sculpted in the form of human heads, have tukula pigment.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. These three wood cups, sculpted in the form of human heads, have tukula pigment. They belonged to the royal family.(Wilson interview, Hultgren, 72-74)