Clyster

Accession Number
1984/2.27

Title
Clyster

Artist(s)
Kuba

Artist Nationality
Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1900

Medium & Support
wood

Dimensions
12 5/16 in x 3 9/16 in (31.27 cm x 9.05 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase made possible by the Friends of the Museum of Art

Subject matter
Kuba artists applied their bold and sophisticated surface design to both ceremonial and everyday objects alike. Objects such as drums, boxes, stools, backrests, knives, swords, bangles, wisdom baskets, staffs and fly whisks were typically reserved for the king and his courtiers. However, these objects, in addition to cups, rubbing oracles, pipes, combs, drinking horns, ritual spoons, and scepters, also served specific religious and ceremonial functions, or were simply everyday objects for common use. 

Clysters were typically used for healing purposes, particularly to administer medicines. The geometric patterns on this clyster resemble patterns often found on Kuba basketry, textiles and female body scarifications. 

References:
Daniel Biebuyck, The Arts of Zaire, 1985
Georges Meurant, African Textiles from the Kingdom of Kuba, 1986
Roy Sieber, African Textiles and Decorative Arts, 1972
Jan Vansina, The Children of Woot, 1978

Physical Description
Hollowed cone-shaped vessel with a thinly tapered, extended tip. Vessel is designed with various geometric shapes including repetitive diamond and square patterns.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
carving

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
carvings (visual works)
geometric motifs
prestige
traditional medicine

3 Related Resources

Medicines and Remedies
(Part of: History of Medicine - American Association of Historians of Medicine (AAHM))

& Author Notes

Web Use Permitted