Boite ou Pot anthropomorphe - Wood - DR Congo - 1st half 20th century

Box with an anthropomorphic figure Mangbetu culture, Democratic Republic of Congo First half of the 20th century. Wood. Height: 26 cm; Diameter: 4. 5 cm. The box merges with an anthropomorphic figure standing on stocky legs. The cylindrical straight bust forms the recipient. This object is opened and closed by a plug which is the figure’s head. The woodcarving presents stylistic features of the Mangbetu culture. In fact, the stretched skull is striated with incisions, the pierced ears - which very likely used to have earrings - are C-shaped, the eyes remind coffee beans, the triangular nose is short, and finally, the mouth is depicted by a short horizontal incision.