Water Pipe
Luba
1 of 8
Object Label
This large, extraordinarily beautiful example of a rare Luba water pipe undoubtedly belonged to a person of high status. The female figure holding her breasts is the most common motif in Luba art. The gesture symbolizes respect, nurturing, and the role of women as mothers. The representation of a woman is also significant because the Luba trace descent from the female line. The figure’s elaborate scarification and hairstyle indicate she is a woman of wealth and high social rank.
Caption
Luba. Water Pipe, 19th century. Wood, leather, clay, 23 x 3 3/4 x 9 in. (58.4 x 9.5 x 22.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1108a-b. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Water Pipe
Date
19th century
Geography
Possible place made: Luvua River region (?), Tanganyika Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Medium
Wood, leather, clay
Classification
Dimensions
23 x 3 3/4 x 9 in. (58.4 x 9.5 x 22.9 cm)
Credit Line
Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
Accession Number
22.1108a-b
Frequent Art Questions
What did they smoke with these?
This Luba "Water Pipe" would have been used for smoking tobacco or hemp. Locally grown tobacco in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is extremely rough. When used, water pipes like these would cool and cut the harshness of the smoke.
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