Ewer - Wood - Medicine Pitcher
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Medicine pitcher, a hand-carved wooden ritual vat from the Shi-Bashi people of the Kivu region, Congo, dating to the early 20th century, with three masks on the handle and sides, in good condition with patina and minor damage, interior repaired with plant fibres and natural resins, 17 cm high, 18 cm wide, 14 cm deep, weight 329 g.
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Description from the seller
Museum-quality ritual wooden medicine vessel - pitcher/cup – Shi / Bashi, Kivu, Congo – early 20th century
A hand-stitched, feather-light wooden ritual medicine vessel (Medicine Pitcher) from the early 20th century, originating from the Shi people (Bashi) in the Kivu region, Congo. Traditionally used by Nganga for preparing medicinal brews.
It features 3 masks, one on the handle and one on each side of the cup.
Spiritual features: powerfully carved ancestral or protective visage
Authentic details: interior with traditional preparation/repair of plant fibers and natural resins
Craftsmanship: hand-stitched with a dissel; feather-light due to natural drying and aging
Age & value: probably made between 1900–1950; museum-grade and authentic ethnographic object
Condition: good condition with a beautiful patina, hairline crack, discolorations, minor damage to the handle, and small damages around, with a characterful old repair inside. See the photos to get a good sense of it.
Dimensions: 17 cm high × 18 cm wide (including handle) × 14 cm deep
Weight: 329 grams
Museum-quality ritual wooden medicine vessel - pitcher/cup – Shi / Bashi, Kivu, Congo – early 20th century
A hand-stitched, feather-light wooden ritual medicine vessel (Medicine Pitcher) from the early 20th century, originating from the Shi people (Bashi) in the Kivu region, Congo. Traditionally used by Nganga for preparing medicinal brews.
It features 3 masks, one on the handle and one on each side of the cup.
Spiritual features: powerfully carved ancestral or protective visage
Authentic details: interior with traditional preparation/repair of plant fibers and natural resins
Craftsmanship: hand-stitched with a dissel; feather-light due to natural drying and aging
Age & value: probably made between 1900–1950; museum-grade and authentic ethnographic object
Condition: good condition with a beautiful patina, hairline crack, discolorations, minor damage to the handle, and small damages around, with a characterful old repair inside. See the photos to get a good sense of it.
Dimensions: 17 cm high × 18 cm wide (including handle) × 14 cm deep
Weight: 329 grams
Details
Era
1900-2000
Specific region of origin
Shi-volk (Bashi) in de Kivu-regio
Title additional information
Medicine Pitcher
No. of items
1
Material
Wood
Country of origin
Congo
Indigenous object name
Mpangara
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
17 cm
Width
18 cm
Diameter
14 cm
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