Accession Number
1985/1.161

Title
Bowl

Artist(s)
Kuba

Artist Nationality
Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1890

Medium & Support
wood, fiber, brass tacks and tukula powder

Dimensions
4 3/4 in x 7 1/4 in (12 cm x 18.5 cm)

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

Subject matter
Kuba artists apply their bold and sophisticated surface designs 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. Whether they were related to prestige, used as divination objects to protect the community or simply served as conversation pieces for decoration, the commonality these objects often share are the elaborate geometric patterning and lavish surface design.

This bowl contained red camwood powder, tool or twool, which was used abundantly on Kuba carvings. It was also smeared on clothing and was used in times of mourning. Additionally, the geometric patterns on this bowl are similar to patterns found on Kuba textile, basketry, sculpture, and female body scarifications. Patterns may be given names, but the same pattern will likely be given a different name by different people. The diamond pattern in this bowl is created through a repetitive crossing and interlocking of chevrons. A double crossing can possibly be considered a reference to Woot, the mythical founder of the Kuba, whose mother invented mat weaving.

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
Cylindrical vessel with interlocking linear pattern carved on the interior of the lip. The body of the vessel is carved with interlocking chevrons and a fiber rope is wrapped around its neck. 

Primary Object Classification
Wood and Woodcarving

Primary Object Type
bowl

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
bowl
camwood (wood)
carvings (visual works)
prestige
vessels
vessels (containers)