TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities

"Altering The Way You View The World Of Art"
Type of Object:     
    Kuba  Mbwoong Ntey Ceremonial Cup

    Fine detailed carving. Cups intended for use by rulers and
    dignitaries are elaborately decorated and are highly prestigious
    possessions of Kuba men. The art of the Kuba is one of the most
    highly developed of all African traditions.

    The Kuba people of Zaire create a vast assortment of ornately
    decorated figurative cups that are acquired solely for aesthetic
    reasons and the purpose of drinking palm wine. This in itself is
    highly unusual in that these items are independent of any spiritual
    connections or worship, which is very rare in African art. The Kuba
    artist is kept busy and there is never a shortage of such cups
    because anybody can own one. There is a tremendous difference
    between presentation and quality differences between Kuba cups.
    The geometric patterns which ornament them are similar to those
    found on Kuba textiles.

    However, the more exquisite selection such as this ceremonial
    cup was commissioned by royalty, chiefs and dignitaries.  They
    were fashioned into the shapes of heads and in special cases the
    cup took the form of an entire human body, in a small size scale.
    This effigy cup is carved from one piece of hard wood that has
    obtained a fine patina from use. The features such as the eyes,
    ears, mouth, nose, etched scarifications and descending handles
    are clear cut and precise. This cup is a source of prestige for the
    Kuba.  It is carved in the likeness of the Royal Bombo or Mbwoom
    helmet mask. Mbwoom was the younger brother to the king, Woot
    (first human, bringer of civilization and complement to Shyaam), a
    Pygmy in Kuba royal mythology as well as representational of
    commoners in general. During the men’s initiation rites dance, the
    Mbwoom helmet masks along with the Mwaash aMbooy (the king’
    s or Woot’s mask) engage in a mock fight for the affections of the
    king’s sister. She is performed by a masked persona known as
    Ngaady aMwaash (pawn woman of Mwaash) mother of Woot,
    wife and sister of the king and women in general.  

    This impressive wood piece find is orginin in Congo, Africa, a
    costal Atlancit region, located directly northeast of Angola.  
    Although this piece cannot be accurately dated, it is estimated to
    be in the excess of 4 hundred years old.  The exquisite
    craftsmanship of the piece as a whole clearly demonstrates the
    work of a highly skilled artisan .


Ethnic Group:             
    Kuba Society

Country of Origin:          
    Zaire

Material:      
    Wood                 

Deminsions:
    H 7" x W 5" x  D 5"

Reference: