Bowl

Item number Ab309 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Data
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Description

Elliptical dark brown wooden bowl (part a) and lid (part b). The lid only fits partially over the sides of the bowl and has three plain, geometric-shaped ducks in a line lengthwise across top. Each is quite angled and abstract and the ends of the tail are incised. The heads and necks of the birds at the front and back are missing. The bowl has small, circular base, the sides flare gradually to a slight shoulder with a rectangular raised area at one end and the lip is angled on the inside. On the rim at each side is a row of incised triangles with the points facing inwards.

History Of Use

This type of bowl is primarily used for food serving, preparation, and storage. However, highly stylized bowls are considered prestigious items in Lozi culture. Any object with bird designs signifies it was used by the wife of a Chief.

Narrative

The collector, Nellie Taylor, served as a nursing missionary (1900-1920), first with the Ovimbundu at Bihe, then with the Chokwe at luma Kasai. She belonged to a group who sponsored several missions across Central Africa from 1881-1931. This bowl was likely a gift to Taylor on her travels from one mission to another, and is said to be from the Kwanga, a sub-tribe of Lozi, Barotse Kingdom.