1969.S.161 Cup in form of head

On ceremonial occasions, men and women in many parts of Africa drank palm wine or locally brewed beer from plain or elaborately decorated cups, according to the consumer's social status.

Pende cups replicate the facial features found on wooden masks that represented behaviors to emulate or avoid. The face on the cup raised on a pedestal is that of a woman, as indicated by the smooth, rounded forehead, lowered eyelids, and upturned lips, all of which signify feminine modesty.

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.

n.d.: Clark and Frances Stillman Collection, Dallas, Texas/New York

1969: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Eugene and Margaret McDermott [1]

[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

Apply to objects where number equals 1969.S.161