Kuba Palm-Wine cup, Democratic Republic of Congo. Very good, with age-appropriate wear, only apparent condition issues of note are the few chips/dings on base. Great example of the classic form, with stylized refined features; elaborate coiffure, swept-back braids; neck with incised lines, necklace; distinctive ears. Beautiful shiny black patina. Ex-Christies, France 06/16/09 (copy of original receipt can be included if requested). Ex-Bonhams. Ex-Nooter coll.

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Per Bonhams: David Binkley notes, "Kuba woodcarvers were known for figural and cephalomorphic cups. The former usually emphasize the head, with a short neck and abbreviated torso, lower limbs, and feet, (see previous lot). On other cups, the head dominates and is often positioned above a flaring circular base. The emphasis on the head and hairstyle--especially the forehead, sides, and back of the head--is consistent with that of other contemporaneous wood carvings traditions such as the Kuba ndop figures representing the paramount ruler (nyim) and certain masking traditions. The distinctive silhouettes of the head on these cups are also consistent with nineteenth- and early twentieth-century hairstyles. . . Figural cups like these were certainly carved as prestigious display pieces for titled individuals." ([Masterpieces from Central Africa, Gustaaf Verswijver, et. al. (eds), p. 172]

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7 x 3.5 x 4 in