Luba Ceremonial Wine Vessel

A small figure perches beside the spout, as though keeping an eye on the pour.

This ceremonial wine vessel is Luba, from Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the early 20th century. It is terra cotta. Figurative pottery appears across Central Africa, where vessels for palm wine and other drinks were often given sculptural details. The round body sits on a short foot, with a tall tubular spout rising from the shoulder. A loop handle sweeps up to a small seated figure with a carefully modeled head. A band of incised zigzag runs around the shoulder, and traces of red pigment color the upper surface. It is 15 inches high and 10 in diameter.

Hospitality, supervised.