unidentified Congolese

Description

This small pestle, presumably used for crushing food, has a heavily-worn, glossy surface which is the result of years of continuous use. The features of the female face appear summarily treated when compared to the more elaborately carved hairstyle. -- Professor Christopher Roy, School of Art and Art History, University of Iowa Contact the Stanley Museum of Art at the University of Iowa: https://stanleymuseum.uiowa.edu/about/contact/ The Stanley Collection single object 2007 Crush food Southern Savannah Sankuru/ Lualaba Rivers Utilitarian Divination Luba 1 million Ciluba and Kiswahili Southeastern Zaire and northwest Zambia Chokwe, Ndembu, Kaonde, Bemba, Tabwa, Hemba, Songye, Lunda The relentless expansion of Luba empire can be traced as far back as 1500 when it emerged from the Upemba depression which is still the heartland of the Luba. Eastward expansion to Lake Tanganyka intensified under the leadership of Ilungu Sungu between 1780 and 1810. This was followed by north and southeast expansion until 1840 under Kumwimbe Ngombe, and then to the northwest and northeast from 1840-1870 under Ilunga Kabale. The empire began to diminish after his death in 1870 as Arab slave traders and European invaders challenged notions of Luba supremacy in the region contributing to the decline of Luba power. The legacy of the great empire is still recognizable in the region today, where local customs and art styles often reflect a strong Luba influence. During the height of its reign, the Luba empire operated on a complex system of tributes which acted to redistribute wealth throughout the region. The...