Large Carved Wooden Vessel

Item

Accession Number: 2024.74.
Title: Large Carved Wooden Vessel
Ethnic Group: Luba
Subject: Object|Central Africa
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Medium: Patinated wood
Format: H x W x D: 22 1/2 in x 7 in x 6 in (57.15 cm x 17.78 cm x 15.24 cm)
Description: The large vessel is carved of wood with a dark patina, along with red pigment and white kaolin on the surface. Thinly incised lines cover the surface of the vessel creating intricate patterns. The lid has two busts of a chicken on either side of a cylindrical handle. The chicken may be in reference to animal sacrifice, as the killing of the chicken during rituals was commonly understood to protect from illness and other troubles.
Type: Vessel