SNK 1212-33

Goblet Cup, Lele People; DR Congo

H: 14/21cm, W: 9 cm, D: 10 cm

Age: 20th century

This palm wine drinking cup is a perfect example of the masterful artistry of the Kuba and Lele woodcarvers. The sculptor has delicately balanced abstract and naturalistic forms. A face stands out along the side of the cup. The distinctive coiffure is a signature of Kuba and Lele art. A cup such as this was certainly originally carved as a prestigious display piece for titled individuals of the tribe.

Provenance: Private Danish collection. It was either acquired directly from Lau (Laurence) Sunde’s collection in Copenhagen, which dates back to the 1940s, or Lau (Laurence) Sunde was an adviser to the collector.
Sunde had a “Etnografica” boutique in 1948, that became recognized among collectors as the most specialized boutique of its kind at the time. Tribal and oriental artefacts were purchased from private collectors as well as at auctions in Paris, Amsterdam and London, among other places.

Full description of Lau (Laurence) Sunde will be forwarded by request.

Request price for Goblet Cup