Drinking cup with figure

The form of cup for the ceremonial drinking of palm wine has here an addition in the form of a bipod figure with a rather sheep-like animal head. The cavity is not divided, and it would be impossible to drink from one end only. Patina occurs where one would expect if the cup were held with the head towards the drinker; the heavy, typically Yaka legs would allow this cup to be set down without tipping over.

Such cups pass by inheritance within the lineage. Bourgeois (1984:56) writes: ‘A recitation of previous owners typically details the presentation of this vessel at the decline or deathbed of its owner to his successor, together with admonitions on how lineage members are to be treated.’ a fine small cup like this might have been made for a chief, since it was thought vulgar to use a large cup. A chief might drink thirty to forty small cups of palm wine, but would lose dignity if he were to use a larger cup.

It is tempting to speculate whether a spirit of fantasy caused this cup to be carved with head and legs, or whether some magical apotropaic purpose was intended.

Margret Carey, 1997

Entry taken from Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection, Vol. 2: Pacific, African and Native North American Art, edited by Steven Hooper (Yale University Press, 1997) p. 190.