Figural mortar ·  R. D. 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.

Littérature comparée

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