One of these, the lidded box, is semicircular, die other rectangular. Both objects decorated with beautiful Kuba patterns. Two old, long used, lidded boxes Kuba (or Bakuba) from central Congo. For the keeping of powdered redwood used by the Kuba for the colouring of their plant fibre textiles.
1: A larger, semicircular lidded box. The lid above decorated with reliefs. Theyh display three dik-dik horns (the horns of a small antelope), arranged in a wide semicircle, a slim circling braid, a wide braid in the middle, and wide-striped triangular segments, filled out with raster patterns. All side surfaces similarly bear the typical relief patterns of the Kuba: ‘infinite knots’ tangled into one another, braids, chessboard pattern and so on. Minor loss from the rim of the lip. Otherwise no damage. Dimensions: 7.5 cm x 27 cm x 13 cm.
2: A smallish, rectangular lidded box -- likewise used for the keeping of powdered redwood. With a small, raised holding knob in the middle of the lid (carved from the same piece), covered in relief patterns on all outer sides: linear rectangles and linear, jagged braids in two variations. 2 minimal cracks on the shorter upper side of the box. Dimensions: 5 cm x 12 cm x 8 cm. Both Kuba boxes are carved from hardwood, bear a distinct, old, and partially shiny usage patina on the outside, while detectable visibly on the inner side are remnants o f the ‘Tukula’ powdered redwood that for a long time used to be kept in them. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Kegel-Konietzko Collection, Hamburg; currently: German Private Collection.