Receptacle with anthropomorphic lid "kwle" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Baule · ID: 3042451

Description

wood, brown patina, open worked base, elaborated geometrical decor on the outside of the receptacle, lid surmounted by anthropomorphic head, collection label “K S9” inside, min. dam., small missing parts, fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion, base;
wooden and brass containers for shea butter are known to be used by the Baule and their Senufo and Akan neighbours. The Baule place great value on personal control, bodily cleanliness and beauty. The lids of these containers, in addition to their contents, reflect ideals of beauty that would have been expected by their owners: a fine elaborate coiffure and facial scarifications, a refined, polished surface, resembling the radiant complexion their contents guaranteed.

The object Receptacle with anthropomorphic lid “kwle” with the object ID 3042451 was last part of the auction 86th Tribal Art Auction at May 27, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 243.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.

Comparing literature

Vogel, Susan Mullin, African Aesthetics, New York 1986, p. 198, ill. 149 van Dyke, Kristina, African Art from the Menil Collection, Houston 2008, p. 114 f.

Publications

AHDRC: 0062243