Brooklyn Museum: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Palm Wine Cup (Mbwoongntey)

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Palm Wine Cup (Mbwoongntey)

For centuries, among the Kuba, indications of personal status have been an important element in crafted objects. Even ordinary utilitarian items such as drinking cups for palm wine may indicate wealth and status through elegant carvings and decorations. Frequently, cups intended for use by rulers are carved in the form human head with a distinctive hairstyle associated only with royalty. Far more rare are cups carved with full figures.

Culture: Bushoong Kuba
Medium: Wood
Place Made: Lulua Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dates: 19th century
Dimensions: 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 5 1/4 in. (21.6 x 11.4 x 13.3 cm)
Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
Accession Number: 56.6.37
Credit Line: Gift of Arturo and Paul Peralta-Ramos
Image: 3/4, 56.6.37_threequarter_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007

Catalogue Description: Wood, highly polished surface, in form of a kneeling man holding chin and stomach, scars on upper thighs, crosshatched hair dress, short torso, protruding chin and mouth, handle on back. CONDITION: Good.

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23dingenvoormusea (11)
- wood
- hand
- kneeling
- eyes
- mouth
- nose
- brown
- face
- cup
- wine
- african
ninakuriloff (5)
- Mbwoongntey
- Palm Wine Cup
- wood
- Bushoong Kuba
- Congo
sassyass (6)
- cup
- wood
- kneeling
- face
- carved
- vessel

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Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Palm Wine Cup (Mbwoongntey)