English description below
LUBA - Rare Calabash KABWELULU
Among the Lubas and the Hemba, these anthropomorphic gourds were used during divination rites.
The half figurine is "fetished", "magical" materials are inserted into the dedicated cavity, at the top of the head
The Luba are a great people of the DRC. Their caryatid seats, cup carriers, chiefs' sticks, arrow holders, adzes and cult statuettes are very famous and among the most prized objects in African Art.
TYPE OF OBJECT: Divination Calabash (Kabwelulu)
ETHNIC GROUP: Luba, Baluba
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Congo DRC
MATERIAL: Wood, gourd, rope
DIMENSIONS: 30 cm
CONDITION: Average
The gourd is split in two places
(see last 2 photos)
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Bibliography - Bibliography
- LUBA, at the sources of Zaire, François NEYT, Editions du Musée Dapper, 1993
- LUBA, Visions of Africa, Editions 5 Continents, Mary Nooter Roberts and Allen F. Roberts, 2006
- MEMORY, Luba Art and the Making of History, Mary Nooter Roberts, 1996
- 100 peoples of Zaire and their sculpture. The handbook for collectors, scholars and students, Marc Leo Felix, Brussels: Zaire Basin Art History Research Foundation, 1987
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LUBA - Rare Calabash KABWELULU
Among the Lubas and Hemba, these anthropomorphic gourds were used during divination rites
The half figurine is “fetishized”, “magical” materials are inserted into the dedicated cavity, at the top of the head
The Luba are a great people in eastern DRC
Their caryatid seats, their cup holders, chiefs' sticks, arrow holders, adzes and cult figures are very famous and among the most valued objects in African Art.
TYPE OF OBJECT: Divination calabash (Kabwelulu)
ETHNICAL GROUP: Luba, Baluba
ORIGIN: Congo Drc
MATERIAL: Wood, calabash, cord
DIMENSIONS: About 11 3/4 inches high (30 cm)
CONDITION: Medium
The calabash is split in two places.
(see the last 2 pictures)
