Skip to main content

Basket

Kuba

Artwork Details

Basket
circa 1950
Kuba
raffia, wood, and pigment
6 1/4 in x 8 7/16 in (15.9 cm x 21.5 cm)
Museum Purchase
1985/2.5

Description

Subject Matter:

Baskets were often used to hold objects such as razors for cutting raffia, personal care objects such as hairpins, as well as various ritual objects and medicinal substances. The piece of wood attached to the end of the fiber serves as a hook to hang the basket from the interior walls of dwellings. 

References:
Daniel Biebuyck, The Arts of Zaire, 1985
Georges Meurant, African Textiles from the Kingdom of Kuba, 1986
Roy Sieber, African Textiles and Decorative Arts, 1972
Jan Vansina, The Children of Woot, 1978

Physical Description:

A basket woven in the form of a box with the middle protruding out to form a circular disk. On the top of the box the weaving forms a diamond pattern. There are several strands of fiber attached to the disk portion of the basket. There is a piece of wood attached to the end of the fiber. 

Usage Rights:

If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.