Old Luba Oil Lamp Bowl Ancient African Pottery Congo

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

Early Luba Lamp Terracotta Pot Funerary GiftAncient African Pottery Democratic Republic of Congo An Ancient Luba Small Clay Lamp Terracotta Pottery Funerary PotAntique African Art - Tribal Sculpture - Democratic Republic of Congo Zaire Origin: Luba peoples of the Upemba Basin in the DRC Congo Zaire, Central Africa Material: Terracotta, fired ceramic clay Period: Classic Kisalian, 10th to 14th century, see explanation below Dimensions: 3.25" height, 8.75" outermost diameter; weight is 1.55 pounds Condition: Excellent. Held in private collection, the condition of this piece remains unchanged from the time of its original 1950's field acquisition. Completely intact, minute evidence of previous professional restoration of pot bottom noted though this does not detract from the piece's pressence; structurally sound with significant patination throughout. Soil fragments are easily removed with a very soft bristle brush, should you prefer. Exquisite signs of age, minute surface imperfections, calcification and remnants of African soil indicative of extensive burial. Please to fully appreciate this remarkable old pot! Be sure to see our collection of AFRICAN POTTERY ! Or explore our incredible AFRICAN SCULPTURES ! Luba Upemba Depression Classic Kisalian Terracotta Pots Pottery Vessels The Luba live along lakes and rivers in the southeastern savannah region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, their heartland lies in the area of the Upemba depression; a vast, swampy rift valley covered with lakes. Iron technology was used in the Upemba depression by the sixth century. An abundance of pottery, charcoal, stone tools and some iron implements (barbed arrowheads, spearheads, carved knives and hoes) have been found from the Kamilambian period, between the sixth and eighth centuries, but copper items were noticeably absent during this time. Radiocarbon dating indicated that this evidence belonged to a period beginning about 1500 years ago. The next period, from the eighth to tenth century, was called the Early Kisalian after Lake Kisale in the northern part of the valley, and seems to have developed from the Kamilambian. Early Kisalian has been dated to a little over 1000 years ago and is known from a relatively few graves which contained iron hoes, knives, spearheads and ax heads, along with rare copper objects, mainly bracelets and anklets. Ceremonial iron axes with carefully shaped engraved and perforated blades and handles decorated with iron nails are not unlike axes of authority used throughout the region today, which suggests that social hierarchies had already developed. Ancient axes provide evidence for the antiquity of political orders based on metal technologies. From the Early Kisalian t developed the period known to archaeologists as the as the Classic Kisalian, commencing about 1000 years ago in the tenth century and lasting for several centuries following. Evidence for this period consists of numerous graves in sites spread across the northern half of the Upemba Depression, the size and number of which suggests a significant growth in population during this time. Collectively, Classic Kisalian burials have yielded an impressive range of goods. T were many pots of a high quality and distinctive style including well-made vessels in a variety of shapes, some with footed bases and others with spouts and handles. Rounded bottoms, marked necks and shoulders, and in-turned lips decorated with channels, comb stamps and impressions are characteristic of the vessels found. Though everyday utilitarian objects were buried with the dead, much of the pottery seems to have been symbolic or ritual in function. The grave-goods differed depending on the sex of the deceased, and their quality and character apparently varied with the wealth or status of the individual. Some of the superb pottery was evidently specially made for funerary use, being too small for practical purposes. The size o... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.