Artistically engraved calabash, ca. 1930
D. R. Congo, Congo central, Moanda Region, Kitombe, Vela Raphael
not available anymore
Provenance
Pierre Loos, Brussels, BelgiumBren Heymans, Antwerp, Belgium
Size
H: 25 cm
H: 9.8 inch
Description
pumpkin, kaolin, fire blackening, incised signature “Vela Raphael Kitombe”, min. dam.
Gourds of this type are decorated with motives based on Kongo proverbs, folk-tales and fables. The tradition of engraving calabashes is ancient but these narrative, realistic icons are geared at an expatriate public.
Publications
Expo cat.: "100 x Congo. Een eeuw Congolese kunst in Antwerpen", Els De Palmenaer (red.), Antwerp: BAI NV, 2020, p. 151, cat. 75AHDRC: 0188321