1: A ceremonial caryatid beaker of the West Pende, with square, rhomboid upper rim. Carved from a single piece of hard wood and dyed black. The sides of the vessel carry rich relief decoration on the outside: on the front is a typical ‘Mbuya mask’ of the Pende people. With wide eyebrows, pointed chin and a hairstyle with 3 points (this mask type represents a chief). On the reverse, another mask type is represented, and on each side there is a ‘sun wheel’. Between the vessel and the round base, carved with relief on the outside, an ape with a long tail serves as a caryatid figure (both forelegs of the ape display thin cracks, an old break). An incised mark of the carver on the underside (a sort of ‘signature’).
Height: 17.2 cm.
2: A ceremonial caryatid beaker of the West Pende, with hexagonal upper rim. It is carved from hard brown wood and originally dyed black. Between the vessel and round base plate is a narrow head with hat and handle, carved from the same piece and serving as a caryatid. On the underside of the beaker a carver’s mark is incised (a sort of ‘signature’). No damage.
Height: 12.5 cm. Ritual beakers, such as both of the present ones, were used by the West Pende during meetings and negotiations of chiefs, for the ceremonial drinking of palm wine.
Both items: First half of the 20th century. (ME)