H x W x D: 18.9 x 4.6 x 4.1 cm (7 7/16 x 1 13/16 x 1 5/8 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date:
Mid-20th century
Label Text:
The art of the Kuba peoples is noted for covering surfaces of wood objects and textiles with interlacing bands and knot patterns. Clysters, funnels for administering enemas, fit in this grouping of decorated functional and prestige objects. This example shows the geometric turtle pattern that also appears in raffia cloth While clysters appear in the literature, their use is not really described. The question as to whether they are purely medicinal or are for administering hallucinogenic substances remains unanswered.
Description:
Wood funnel with polygonal motif representing a turtle shell.
Provenance:
Mikoom Yemam, a member of Kuba royal family (Cornet assistant), ca. 2004
Allen C. Davis, ca. 2004 to 2010
Content Statement:
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