1115909

African Antique Sculpture, Chokwe Cup #1115909

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Ethnographic Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:0.00 USD
African Antique Sculpture, Chokwe Cup #1115909
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Warning: Most African items and 'antiques' being sold on the internet are of recent make and are not genuine. THIS IS A GENUINE AFRICAN ANTIQUE. </em></td>
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An lidded wooden cup, from the Chokwe People of Angola/Southern Congo, with a face carved into it with open mouth, slit eyes, and scarification patterns on the chin, cheeks, and temples. This cup was covered in a very sticky and dirty substance on the outside when first collected, and the inside of the cup was filled with some kind of dirt. Rubbing it with a chamois cloth removed most of that and revealed the present patina that it now has. What is most interesting is that this cup was stored over the winter in a closet near a heat source; when taken out in the spring, oil was seen to have weeped out on its surface, especially on the nose of the face. This is an excellent sign, as it indicates this cup in all likelihood was used to hold some medicinal or magical substance of an oily nature for a long time. Receptacles or sculptures weeping oil only do so as a result of prolonged application of or filling with those substances. We do not think this was ever used as a wine cup, as wine cups don?t have lids. The lid also exhibits an oily patina on one side of its surface, probably from being repeatedly handled. A most unusual piece. 6.5 inches (16 cm) high.
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<td>Reference
#: 087x</td>
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<tr><td>Condition:Excellent</td></tr>
<tr><td>Year:early 20th Century</td></tr>






<tr><td>Title:African Antique Sculpture, Chokwe Cup</td></tr>



<tr><td>Location:New York City</td></tr>
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