Accession Number
1985/1.170

Title
Bowl

Artist(s)
Kuba

Artist Nationality
Kuba (Democratic Republic of Congo style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1890

Medium & Support
ceramic, tukula powder, and fiber

Dimensions
4 1/2 in x 7 in (11.43 cm x 17.78 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Pierre Darterelle

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 contains red camwood powder, tool or twool, which is used abundantly on Kuba carvings. It is also smeared on clothing and used in times of mourning.

References:
Daniel Biebuyck, The Arts of Zaire, 1985
Roy Sieber, African Textiles and Decorative Arts, 1972
Jan Vansina, The Children of Woot, 1978

Physical Description
Cylindrical bowl with small lip at the top opening. The bowl has a small circular handle and a piece of stringed fiber looped through it. 

Primary Object Classification
Ceramic

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)
ceramics (object genre)
prestige
vessels
vessels (containers)