Vessel - Culture Chokwe

Urn of rounded form covered by a patina, which gives the piece a metallic finish. Although most of the surface is mooth, it is adorned with bands decorated with stripes-vertical, horzontal, diagonal and interlaced- and points in the neck and the part immediately below this. These roundend and smooth forms are typical of Chokwe sculpture and are related in turn to the art of the Luba. Four salient pieces, also decorated with points, surround the vessel in the form of handles. The recipient is covered by a lid completed with a masculine figure on foot, with long arms, "coffee bean" eyes, a nose with a stylised profile and a a partly open mouth. The hat worm by the personage appears to present a certain similariy with that of the initiated members of the Chowke, designated mukuku. While they wore these hats, the rest of the people were forbidden to look them in the eyes, as a sign of respect- The specific function of the vessel, however, is at present unknown.