Artwork Page for Box lid

Details / Information for Box lid

Box lid

c. 1920

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, unknown carver, Kuba style

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Medium
Wood and tukula
Credit Line
Gift of Katherine C. White 1976.185.b
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
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Description

Over the centuries the Kuba developed a distinctive and elaborate decorative style to embellish a wide variety of personal and household objects. Each design, derived from weaving patterns, has its own name—for example the interlace is called imbol. This box held tukula, a fragrant red camwood powder that was mixed with palm oil and used as a cosmetic. The carved pattern around the sides is called bisha masongo, the "back of the wild boar."
A square, dark brown wood and tukula box lid with concave sides is covered in dense geometric carvings. Centered on the face, a diagonal cross partitions a square into four triangles. Top and bottom segments feature rows of raised triangular points, while lateral triangles show a fine grid. Multiple concentric borders of zigzagging and straight lines frame this central motif. A small hole pierces the surface in the upper right.

Box lid

c. 1920

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, unknown carver, Kuba style

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