Kuba Cosmetic or Ointment Box

Cosmetic or Ointment Box, 20th century
Kuba people; Democratic Republic of Congo
Wood, tacks and camwood powder; 11.5 x 6.5 in.
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Richard Baum
F77.70.31
The Kuba culture is concerned with beauty; not only is art required for court and religious purposes, but everyday objects are decorated as well. The Kuba produce an amazing variety of boxes in numerous shapes. The motifs on them are derived from patterns created for exquisite embroidered raffia fabrics. Each linear, interlaced, geometric pattern has a name and a special mystic power. During ceremonial occasions a paste of palm oil and the fine ground powder of the camwood tree is mixed in these boxes. This is painted on the body, rubbed on ancestor figures, other cult objects and corpses and is used to decorate masks and to dye raffia. Originally the boxes were also rubbed with the special paste called tukula. The tukula is termite resistant and helps to preserve the boxes. All text and images under copyright. Please contact the Collection Department for permission to use. Information subject to change with further research.