Tribal Art

The Kuba are renowned for the refinement of prestige objects created for members of the high ranks of their society. The Leus live in the west of the Kuba kingdom and share common cultural characteristics with the Bushoong of the Kuba country. Both groups adorn their prestige objects with similar motifs. The only ethnic group created a variety of lidded containers in which individual goods were stored, the Kuba adorned them with patterns similar to those of embroidered textiles. The top lid that forms here like a toque is engraved with a large decorative frieze. It rests on a flared pot, tightened in the center, under which an animal symbol forms a stylized pattern in relief. Very nice refined object, equipped with a clever system: a small internal hook allows to fit the lid on the edge of the pot without it oscillating. Glossy patina. Desication crack in the lower part.
The highly organized and hierarchical Kuba society placed a king or nyim in its centre inspiring the statuary of the ethnic group.
This was considered to be of divine origin. Both head of the kingdom and of the bushoong chiefdom, he was attributed supernatural virtues from witchcraft or ancestors. He therefore ensured the sustainability of his subjects, whether through harvests, rain or the birth of children. These magical attributes were not hereditary, however, as the king was elected by a council.
Source: Kuba, ed. 5continents, Binkley and Darish.