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Early Luba Terracotta Bowl Funerary Pot Ancient African Pottery Democratic Republic of Congo
An Ancient Luba Small Terracotta Pot Child's Funerary Pottery Antique African Art - Tribal Sculpture - Democratic Republic of Congo Zaire
Origin: Luba peoples of the Upemba Basin in the DRC Congo Zaire, Central Africa Material: Terracotta, fired ceramic clay Period: Classic Kisalian, 10th to 14th century, see explanation below Dimensions: 2 1/4" height, 3 7/8" outermost diameter; weight is 6.7 ounces or 189 grams Condition: Excellent. Held in private collection, the condition of this piece remains unchanged from the time of its original 1950's field acquisition. Loss of carrying loop and minute nicks to rim apparently occurred during burial, judging by the surface condition and encrustation present. No evidence of previous restoration noted; structurally sound with significant patination throughout. Soil fragments are easily removed with a very soft bristle brush, should you prefer. Exquisite signs of age, minute surface imperfections, calcification and remnants of African soil indicative of extensive burial.
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Luba Upemba Depression Classic Kisalian Terracotta Pots Pottery Vessels The Luba live along lakes and rivers in the southeastern savannah region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, their heartland lies in the area of the Upemba depression; a vast, swampy rift valley covered with lakes. Iron technology was used in the Upemba depression by the sixth century. An abundance of pottery, charcoal, stone tools and some iron implements (barbed arrowheads, spearheads, carved knives and hoes) have been found from the Kamilambian period, between the sixth and eighth centuries, but copper items were noticeably absent during this time. Radiocarbon dating indicated that this evidence belonged to a period beginning about 1500 years ago. The next period, from the eighth to tenth century, was called the Early Kisalian after Lake Kisale in the northern part of the valley, and seems to have developed from the Kamilambian. Early Kisalian has been dated to a little over 1000 years ago and is known from a relatively few graves which contained iron hoes, knives, spearheads and ax heads, along with rare copper objects, mainly bracelets and anklets. Ceremonial iron axes with carefully shaped engraved and perforated blades and handles decorated with iron nails are not unlike axes of authority used throughout the region today, which suggests that social hierarchies had already developed. Ancient axes provide evidence for the antiquity of political orders based on metal technologies. From the Early Kisalian there developed the period known to archaeologists as the as the Classic Kisalian, commencing about 1000 years ago in the tenth century and lasting for several centuries following. Evidence for this period consists of numerous graves in sites spread across the northern half of the Upemba Depression, the size and number of which suggests a significant growth in population during this time. Collectively, Classic Kisalian burials have yielded an impressive range of goods. There were many pots of a high quality and distinctive style including well-made vessels in a variety of shapes, some with footed bases and others with spouts and handles. Rounded bottoms, marked necks and shoulders, and in-turned lips decorated with channels, comb stamps and impressions are characteristic of the vessels found. Though everyday utilitarian objects were buried with the dead, much of the pottery seems to have been symbolic or ritual in function. The grave-goods differed depending on the sex of the deceased, and their quality and character apparently varied with the wealth or status of the individual. Some of the superb pottery was evidently specially made for funerary use, being too small for practical purposes. The size of the vessels seemed to be in direct proportion to the age of the deceased, the larger vessels placed with older persons suggested a symbolic role. Graves with more pots contained uncommon materials such as cowrie shells and ivoire, pointing to an even more stratified society by the second millennium. An abundance of copper in the form of utilitarian objects as well as ornamental luxury goods and ivoire armlets and necklaces, suggest further development of a hierarchical society. Copper necklaces, copper and iron armlets, shell beads, iron pendants, and ivoire objects placed on the body indicate status and power. Throughout Central Africa, copper has long been a medium indicating status and associated with the formation of central authority systems. The amount of copper increases in Classic Kisalian graves, and luxury objects such as bells and bracelets suggest both continued and greater trade with the copperbelt to the south. The Classic Kisalian period clearly represented a peak of cultural development in this part of Central Africa. The superior quality of the pottery indicated a high level of technical ability yet, until now, relatively little attention has been paid to the Luba's pottery art. Apart from vessels for burial gifts or daily use, it mainly concentrates on bulging cult vessels with modeled heads which function as a cover or lid, as found among other ethnic groups in the Congo and Angola.
Luba Tribal History The Luba Empire was founded in 1585 and rapidly expanded to include all the territories on the upper left bank of the Lualaba River. At its peak, roughly one million people of several tribes were paying tribute to the Luba king. The king (Mulopwe) and court notables (Bamfumus) reigned over Luba subjects through clan kings (Balopwe) who could symbolically become the Mulopwe's son in a creation of clients states throughout the empire. The Bambudye were a secret society who kept the memory of the Luba empire alive and permeated throughout the territory to bond the diverse populations together. The complex Luba economy was based on a tribute system and the redistribution of resources from agriculture, fishing, hunting, and mining with the production of salt and iron held completely under the king's control. In contrast to the frequent use of male figures among neighboring cultures, almost all Luba objects depict the female form figuratively or by allusion to women's scarification through incised or raised designs, thus reflecting the Luba belief that "kingship is a woman", for political authority is a delicate and deliberately ambiguous mélange of female and male elements - in that order of significance. In the late 19th century, the influx of Angolian peoples, along with the East African Muslim slavers combined to weaken the empire which then collapsed when the Belgian colonials seized power. Now widely considered the largest ethic group of the region, with over 5 million people, the Luba account for 18% of the population of the present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), representing the largest culturally related complex in the Congo. The many ethnic groups have created just as many different styles in their art, yet common to all Luba figures is the softness of their lines and the extremely careful shaping of the head and the elaborately conceived coiffures.
Recommended reading :Spirits Embodied: Art of the Congo (Maurer), Luba: To the Sources of the Zaire (Neyt), Luba: Visions of Africa Series (Roberts), Forgotten Africa (Connah), and A History of Art in Africa (Visona, Poynor, Cole and Harris).
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Please contact us immediately if ~ for any reason ~ you are not pleased with your selection. We will gladly refund the purchase price of any item returned in its original condition within 14 days of dated delivery. Our commitment to 5 Star customer service and satisfaction ensures that YOUR satisfaction is Unconditionally Guaranteed ~ NO questions asked!
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We're delighted to combine shipments and reduce your costs, simply email your Zip/Postal Code PRIOR to making payment. All major credit cards and PayPal are gladly accepted. Payment is expected within 7 days of your purchase. In consideration of discounts given, we respectfully request immediate payment on all Best Offers unless arrangements are made prior to acceptance. Please contact us directly if other payment arrangements are necessary - we're always happy to help!
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