Cup
| Culture | Kuba |
|---|---|
| Title | Cup |
| Date | Late 19th–early 20th century |
| Medium | Wood, cowrie shells, and and copper |
| Dimensions | Object: 4 1/2 × 4 1/2 × 7 in. (11.4 × 11.4 × 17.8 cm) Overall: 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 7 in. (11.4 x 11.4 x 17.8 cm) |
| Credit Line | Raymond and Laura Wielgus Collection, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 87.24.6 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
A cylindrical cup with a rounded lip curving slightly inward and a large handle, joining near the base and lip, with a human head facing outward. The cup is carved with a diamond-like pattern alongside a series of small, raised dots; it also has cowrie shells inlaid on the body of the cup and copper inlaid into the face.
The skill and hours of labor involved in creating the rich surface patterning on this cup made it an object of prestige among the Kuba. Cowrie shells, which are inlaid, served as currency in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and so on this cup they not only offer a contrasting color and texture but also indicate the wealth of the cup’s owner. The face on the cup’s handle is covered with copper, a metal associated with high status.
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
"Cup | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=87.24.6