H x W x D: 28.9 x 8.6 x 8.9 cm (11 3/8 x 3 3/8 x 3 1/2 in.)
Type:
Figure
Geography:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date:
Late 19th-early 20th century
Label Text:
Mortars were used for grinding tobacco into snuff or for grinding substances such as kaolin, a white clay, for ritual use. Elaborately carved mortars like this one were owned by the Luba elite.
Description:
Standing male figure with mortar atop its head, hands at its chin or beard and an oily finish. The eyes appear to be closed and the mouth is open with projecting tongue.
Provenance:
Périer, collected in Belgian Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo), before 1940
Mr. Salkin, Brussels
Emile M. Deletaille, Brussels, before 1985
Content Statement:
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