Pende cup, DRC ex Zaire - Lot 136

Pende cup, DRC ex Zaire Deep, flared bowl with a thick handle, used for ritual libations during traditional ceremonies or for drinking palm wine. Satin black patina, desiccation cracks, erosions. 51 x 12 cm Sold with its base The Western Pende live on the banks of the Kwilu, while the Eastern Pende have settled on the banks of the Kasai downstream from Tshikapa. The influences of the neighboring Mbla, Suku, Wongo, Leele, Kuba and Salempasu ethnic groups have left their mark on their extensive tribal art sculpture. Within this diversity, the realistic Mbuya masks, produced every ten years, have a festive function, and embody various characters, including the chief, the diviner and his wife, the prostitute, the possessed, etc... Initiation masks and power masks (minganji) represent the ancestors, and are performed successively during the same ceremonies: agricultural festivals, initiation and circumcision rituals (mukanda), and the enthronement of the chief. Source: Kerchache, "L'art africain".