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EARTH METROPOLIS AFRICAN ART
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Kuba Nelson Vessel
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Kuba Stanley Cup
University of Iowa Collection
   
   

ROYAL CUP VESSELS OF THE KUBA PEOPLE

The Bushongo people are the only group among the Kuba people that produce kings. There are a little over 300 families among the Bushongo that can hold title to the throne. The examples of wine vessels shown above were commissioned by Bushongo Niyim. PRESS THIS BUTTON TO RETURN TO THE PREVIOUS PAGE

The first example was from the Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection was on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. One added note: Many of the African and Oceanic artworks from the Michael and Nelson Rockefeller Collection are quit possibly stolen artworks. In Michael’s book title Asmat his friends that helped finish writing Michael’s book stated in the book that some of the art villagers would not sell to Michael so Michael instructed members of his expedition to go back and forcibly take the art if necessary.

In both presentations reveal small aspects of Kuba philosophy, their way of life. The use of art to portray art standards as well as philosophical belief systems is common in African art. The following notes are taken from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Founded in the early seventeenth century in what is today south-central Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kuba kingdom was a wealthy state with an elaborate, merit-based system of courtly titles. Because positions of power within the Kuba court were awarded rather than inherited, members of the aristocracy went to great lengths to distinguish themselves from their peers. Drawing upon the skill and talent of local artisans, they commissioned elegant personal accessories that displayed their prosperity, personal achievements, and upward mobility.

One way in which Kuba titleholders displayed their wealth and generosity was through the distribution of large quantities of palm wine to their friends and associates. At the court, drinking vessels were a vital accessory of great symbolic value. This ornately carved wooden cup combines human and animal forms to communicate ideals of refinement and power. Its elegant facial features are well formed and symmetrically arranged, while the mouth is small and closed, reflecting the belief that careful thought should always precede speech. The cup also depicts the Kuba aesthetic practice of shaving the hairline to frame and offset the forehead, considered the seat of wisdom and insight, and draw attention to the raised cicatrizes on the temples, another sign of cultural refinement. Large, curving horns are juxtaposed with these anthropomorphic elements. They evoke the ram, a dominant, aggressive animal that does not tolerate rivals. In the competitive atmosphere of Kuba political life, a man who embodied the dual qualities of cultivation and ambition could expect to attain impressive titles and awards.

Although this artwork appears on the 20th-century segment of the Timeline, it is ascribed a date of 19th–20th century.

The next example referred to as the “Kuba Stanley Cup” was on display at the University Of Iowa Museum Of Art in Iowa City, Iowa.

The Stanley Collection, X1990.636

The Bushoong, led by their king, the nyimi, formed the Kuba ruling elite, administering through a system of clan councils and chiefs (Vansina 1960:265-266). Royal status was displayed through elaborately decorated prestige items, such as cups.

The cup, used for drinking wine from the fermented sap of the raphia palm (Raphia vinifera), depicts a royal male. Tracesstill remain of the red cosmetic camwood powder, tukula, which was rubbed into such objects. The red powder contrasts with the copper color of the scarification patterns and other details. Since metal was reserved for the use of the nyimi, the use of copper indicates that this object belonged to royalty.

The cup shows the traditional flaring hairstyle of the Kuba, with triangular patterns shaved at the temples. The elongated head and the round scars on the cheekbones may indicate that the carver was Ndengese, working on a royal commission (Felix 1987: 62-63,28-29). The exchange of prestige objects between the Kuba and the Ndengese is frequent and long-standing, for the Bushoong royal clan and the Ndengese are related.

Although Kuba cups are common in public and private collections, cups of this quality, with metal applique and so much of the color preserved, are quite rare. -- Professor Christopher D. Roy, School of Art and Art History, University of Iowa


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THE CLAUDE LOCKHART CLARK ART FORUM ---- is (first and foremost) a master woodcarver - , graphic artist, painter, writer, family archivist, printmaker, photographer and webmaster. His artwork is about his family heritage; the African and Diaspora exsperience. This link will take you to my - Yahoo! 360 Forum - on the world wide web. THE CLAUDE CLARK ART CENTER --- Claude Clark and Claude Lockhart Clark are father and son African American artists. The father's work consist of paintings and the son is a sculptor. Their artwork is about the common man and African exsperience.