This is the rating and price for 20Th C. Central African Kuba Wood Portrait Cup

Description : Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuba peoples, ca. early to mid-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 prominent nose, full lips held closed, and a pointed chin, all flanked by a pair of high-set, circular ears. Several striations of incised grid pattern representing ceremonial scarification adorn the face, lining the brow, cheeks, and sides of the head. His coiffure is intricately carved with geometric, striated, and zigzag motifs, while the top of his head opens up to the rim of the vessel. The head is supported by a thick neck that forms the base and features additional designs of scarification, as well as a hollowed-out area on the verso. Size: 3.9 W x 8.1 H (9.9 cm x 20.6 cm), 9.8 H (24.9 cm) on included custom stand. 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, ex-Ali and Florence Hall Abssi collection, Texas, USA 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. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm. Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #169124
Price: 717.75 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 800 USD-1200 USD It's free to register now to view!

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