Chokwe Medicine Container Congo
Width: 2.0
Depth: 2.0
Description
An exquisite Chokwe artifact - a small medicine bottle carved from wood with an intricate bird lid and vegetable fiber strap. This could have stored dried herbs or medicinal tinctures.
Chokwe carvings, traditional woodcraft by the Chokwe people, a Bantu-speaking ethnic group primarily located in Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are renowned for their intricacy and versatility. These carvings, crafted from hardwood like teak, mahogany, or ebony, serve both decorative and practical functions.
They manifest in various forms such as masks, statues, and furniture, featuring elaborate patterns and motifs including geometric shapes and cultural symbols. These motifs reflect the Chokwe's profound spiritual and cultural beliefs.
Beyond masks, Chokwe artisans create stools, chairs, and tables, integral to significant ceremonies and communal events. Carved from single wood pieces, these furniture items exhibit intricate designs embodying the Chokwe's spiritual and cultural heritage.
Chokwe carvings hold immense cultural and spiritual significance, prized worldwide for their aesthetic appeal and cultural depth. They are esteemed as invaluable expressions of African traditional art, sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts globally.
Height (In)
7.5
Width (In)
2.0
Depth (In)
2.0
149198
Approximate Age: Early 20th Century
People: ["Chokwe"]
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Condition
Overall Condition: Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.