H x W x D: 7.7 x 33.1 x 19.3 cm (3 1/16 x 13 1/16 x 7 5/8 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date:
Late 19th-early 20th century
Label Text:
The Kuba carved and used an incredible variety of wood boxes--taking the shape of semicircles, rectangles, faces, houses and baskets. The varied forms held small prized possessions such as razors, feathers and beads. As indicated by the residue inside, this box once held red powdered wood, a cosmetic.
Whatever the overall shape and function of the boxes, the lids and sides are usually decorated with incised geometric patterns. The same design preferences are reflected in Kuba textiles, cups, pipes, drums and other objects. The lozenge forms carved on the outermost band of this lid represent cowrie shells. A longstanding form of currency in much of Africa, cowries literally are wealth. Originating in the Indian Ocean, the shells are the prizes of long-distance trade. Similarly the imported brass tacks inserted into the decoration were valued because of their exotic origin and the effort involved in obtaining them.
A typical braided motif forms the second decorative band. Kuba artists often made their designs dynamic by avoiding exact repetition or symmetry, as can be seen here in the panels of geometric designs between the border bands and the face at the lower edge.
The human face is treated almost as another geometric pattern. The circular form above the face resembles the beadwork circle or section of conus shell that is worn on the center of Kuba headbands, items of court regalia. The same motif is carved on the top of Kuba knife handles.
Much of Kuba art demonstrates the basic relationship between the labor involved and the value of an object. The choice possessions held in boxes such as this would have inspired the investment of extra effort.
Description:
Semi-circular lidded box with incised geometric design and stylized human face
Provenance:
Pierre Loos, Brussels, -- to 1980
Emile M. Deletaille, Brussels, 1980 to 1985
Exhibition History:
Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 4, 2017-ongoing
Published References:
National Museum of African Art. 1999. Selected Works from the Collection of the National Museum of African Art. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, p. 133, no. 94.
Content Statement:
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