Ewer - Wood - Medicine Pitcher
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Medicine Pitcher, a hand‑carved ritual wooden vessel from the Shi (Bashi) people of the Kivu region, Congo (Mpangara), dating to the early 20th century and used by Nganga for medicinal brews, with two masks on the sides, measuring 15 cm high, 19 cm deep and 17 cm in diameter, in good condition with patina and minor damage to the handle and base.
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Description from the seller
Museum ritual wooden medicine vessel - can-cup – Shi / Bashi, Kivu, Congo – early 20th century
A hand-turned, 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 has 2 masks, on each side of the cup.
Spiritual features: powerfully carved ancestral or protective face
Authentic details: the structure is roughly finished, likely due to the use of natural resins.
Craftsmanship: hand-turned; feather-light due to natural drying and aging
Age & value: presumably made between 1900–1950; museum-quality and authentic ethnographic object
Condition: good condition with beautiful patina, discolorations, minor damage to the handle and bottom, inside a characterful stain. See the photos to get a good sense.
Dimensions: 15 cm high × 17 cm wide (including handle) × 19 cm deep
Weight: 259 grams
Museum ritual wooden medicine vessel - can-cup – Shi / Bashi, Kivu, Congo – early 20th century
A hand-turned, 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 has 2 masks, on each side of the cup.
Spiritual features: powerfully carved ancestral or protective face
Authentic details: the structure is roughly finished, likely due to the use of natural resins.
Craftsmanship: hand-turned; feather-light due to natural drying and aging
Age & value: presumably made between 1900–1950; museum-quality and authentic ethnographic object
Condition: good condition with beautiful patina, discolorations, minor damage to the handle and bottom, inside a characterful stain. See the photos to get a good sense.
Dimensions: 15 cm high × 17 cm wide (including handle) × 19 cm deep
Weight: 259 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
15 cm
Width
19 cm
Diameter
17 cm
Estimated period
1920-1930
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