Figural mortar ·  D. R. Congo, Mbala · ID: 3033301

Description

wood, brown patina, blackened in parts, pointed stand in form of a human half figure with short arms, crowned by a funnel-shaped superstructure, rest., min. dam., minor missing parts, slight traces of abrasion, on base;
mortars of this kind were used for making snuff, for preparing medicine or sacrificial food and for mashing “pembe”, the white earth (kaolin) as well.

The object Figural mortar with the object ID 3033301 was last part of the auction 70th tribal art auction at September 8, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 172 achieved a sales price of EUR 600.

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Comparing literature

Verswijver, Gustaaf, de Palmenaer , Els u. a. (Hg.), Afrikanische Kunst, München, London, New York 1998, p. 104, ill. 69