Lidded prestige vessel

The author of this imposing statement carved it from a single block of wood using both indigenous and European tools. His innovative design merges two distinct southeast African vessel traditions. While the core exaggerates and monumentalizes the oval form of a snuff container, the dynamic surface treatment of intersecting grooves resembles the texture and graphic patterns of woven baskets. The ambitious openwork extensions around the perimeter evoke a quartet of seated figures with conjoined arms. This form’s complexity warranted contents of high value.