GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Shaped like a particular type of gourd sliced in half, this cup displays an incised face within concentric circles on each side. The slightly convex eyes are closed on one side and open on the other. The faces refer to the hemba nkisi, a wooden helmet mask that appeared during the boys' initiation into adult society. In the context of this cup, the faces ward off anyone not authorized to touch the vessel.
The only persons authorized to touch the cup and drink palm wine from it on ceremonial occasions were heads of families and regional chiefs who were vested with ancestral authority. When such leaders retired, this emblem of authority was given to a matrilineal successor. The smooth surface and warm coloring of this cup suggests it was used over several generations.
Excerpt from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.
NOTES
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PROVENANCE
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.
AUDIO ASSETS
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WEB RESOURCES
- University of Iowa Museum of Art, Art & Life in Africa~Read more about drinking and smoking in African cultures.
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Apply to objects where number equals 1969.S.206
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General Description
Shaped like a particular type of gourd sliced in half, this cup displays an incised face within concentric circles on each side. The slightly convex eyes are closed on one side and open on the other. The faces refer to the hemba nkisi, a wooden helmet mask that appeared during the boys' initiation into adult society. In the context of this cup, the faces ward off anyone not authorized to touch the vessel.
The only persons authorized to touch the cup and drink palm wine from it on ceremonial occasions were heads of families and regional chiefs who were vested with ancestral authority. When such leaders retired, this emblem of authority was given to a matrilineal successor. The smooth surface and warm coloring of this cup suggests it was used over several generations.
Excerpt from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
- University of Iowa Museum of Art, Art & Life in Africa~Read more about drinking and smoking in African cultures.
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
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.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1969.S.206
source file
object_notes_2_d-0558.xml.nores