Mboko Royal Cut - Luba - DR Congo

The figures, typically feminine, represent protective spirits; their arms encircle the cup while a supporting animal stabilizes the whole, recalling the role of the mboko (sacred bowl) used in the divination societies Kilumbu, Bilumbu or Buhabo.

The container was filled with kaolin, symbol of purity and connection to the spiritual world, and served during initiation or healing rites.

The finesse of the carving, the engraved motifs and the ceremonial posture of the figures attest to the Luba’s superb artisanal craftsmanship, where every element reinforces the symbolic power of the cup as a vessel of protection and of transmitting ancestral knowledge.

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Based in Belgium, our expertise and sales house specializes in African art and ethnography. A leading seller on Catawiki for more than 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with a satisfaction rate nearing 100%.

We regularly assist with liquidations, successions and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is rigorous, transparent and accessible, with sales often offered without reserve prices.

Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.

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