Mangbetu pipe
Body art in the Mangbetu tradition
Superb African pipe of Mangbetu origin in the north of the R. D. Congo. The hearth consists of a container placed on the legs of the seated figure. This one wears the famous headdress associated with the Mangbetu culture. The skull was elongated from childhood with the help of tight cords and later, a flared headdress came to support this form as seen in the attached portrait of a young woman.
The figure's body bears decorations matching the body paints worn by Mangbetu individuals. An example of this is seen in the pop-up photo: a woman painting lines on her child's body.
This traditional Mangbetu pipe is similar to other known examples, see attached photo.
01764
Data sheet
- Size
- 21 x 10 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, metal
- Country
- Condition
- Very good
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Body art in the Mangbetu tradition
Superb African pipe of Mangbetu origin in the north of the R. D. Congo. The hearth consists of a container placed on the legs of the seated figure. This one wears the famous headdress associated with the Mangbetu culture. The skull was elongated from childhood with the help of tight cords and later, a flared headdress came to support this form as seen in the attached portrait of a young woman.
The figure's body bears decorations matching the body paints worn by Mangbetu individuals. An example of this is seen in the pop-up photo: a woman painting lines on her child's body.
This traditional Mangbetu pipe is similar to other known examples, see attached photo.