Kongo Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Republic of the Congo Central Africa

Container

INV-1804

Kongo Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Republic of the Congo Central Africa18th/19th century

Container

Kongo Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Republic of the Congo Central Africa →

Central AfricaArts of Africaafrican Artcontainerarts of Africa

Date

18th/19th century

Medium

Rattan, wood, and twine

Dimensions

34.9 × 55.9 × 26.7 cm (13 3/4 × 22 × 10 1/2 in.)

Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

Location

Chicago, IL

Credit

Purchased with funds provided by Jamee and Marshall Field; Pauline S. Armstrong Endowment

Basketwork boxes decorated with interlocking geometric patterns were produced in the Congolese region and adjacent Angola well into the 20th century. Such containers were used for the storage of luxury wares including raffia textiles and ivory accessories. Some were exported to Europe as early as the mid-17th century and became part of the collections of royals and wealthy aristocrats.

Also notable

Works in the same vein

Female Face Mask (Mwana Pwo)

Chokwe Angola or Democratic Republic of the Congo Central Africa

Face Mask

Possibly Bwa (also spelled Boa) Uele region, Democratic Republic of the Congo Central Africa

Mother-and-Child Figure (Bwanga bwa Chibola)

Luluwa Democratic Republic of the Congo Central Africa

Head

Fang Gabon Central Africa