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THB19th C. Kuba Wood Cup of Human Head with Figural Handle
Lot 87
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$600 - $900
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| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Mar 18, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-03-18 10:00:00
2021-03-18 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Pre-Columbian | Tribal | Oceanic
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/pre-columbian-tribal-oceanic-6520
Featuring Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, much more. All items have been legally acquired and are legal to sell. Convenient in-house shipping. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, much more. All items have been legally acquired and are legal to sell. Convenient in-house shipping. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (323)
- Lot Description
Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuba peoples, ca. early 19th to late 20th century CE. A fascinating carved-wood cup in the form of a human head. Sitting upon a circular base, the curious visage presents a pair of huge, almond-shaped eyes under an arched brow, a flat, diamond-shaped nose, a projecting mouth, prominent nasolabial folds, and a pointed chin, all flanked by two high-set, ovoid ears. A grid pattern representing ceremonial scarification adorns the outer side of each eye, while incised, lattice-patterned hair crowns the hollow head. The lovely goblet is also fit with a curved, figural handle that stretches from the back of the head to the base and depicts a figure with folded arms and a helmet-like headdress standing atop the shoulders of a second figure, who displays a bald head and sagging breasts. A slender necklace comprised of braided vegetal leaves decorates the neck of this intriguing vessel. Size: 4.375" in diameter x 7.625" H (11.1 cm x 19.4 cm)
The Kuba kingdom was founded in the early seventeenth century and consisted of an elaborate, merit-based system of courtly titles in which positions of power were awarded rather than inherited. Due to this, aristocratic members of the Kuba kingdom frequently commissioned refined personal accessories, such as this example, to display their achievements. Anthropomorphic cups like this one would have been used by the elite to demonstrate their wealth and generosity by distributing large quantities of palm wine to their friends and associates. This wonderful vessel exhibits several traditional Kuba characteristics, such as a closed mouth reflecting the belief that thought should precede speech, raised cicatrizes on the temples representing cultural refinement, and a shaved hairline that frames the forehead, which was believed to be the seat of wisdom and insight.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
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#162879Petite perforation and two chips to backside near rim. Fissure to rim on proper left side and two fissures to base. Some light nicks and scratches, commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, excellent with lovely patina.Condition
- Shipping Info
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