Cosmetic Box
| Culture | Kuba |
|---|---|
| Title | Cosmetic Box |
| Date | Ca. 1900 |
| Medium | Wood |
| Dimensions | Object: 2 1/2 × 11 5/8 × 5 3/4 in. (6.4 × 29.5 × 14.6 cm) Overall: 2 1/2 × 11 5/8 × 5 3/4 in. (6.4 × 29.5 × 14.6 cm) |
| Credit Line | Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 63.216 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
The surface carving on this lidded box added dramatically to the labor involved in making it and therefore increases its value. The box and lid show many of the same geometric patterns found on Kuba arts in a variety of materials, including cloth and beadwork. On the lid, weevils are depicted in higher relief. These were a favorite Kuba motif, said to symbolize prestige and the enduring power of the king.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
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Cite this page
"Cosmetic Box | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=63.216