KUBA SLAVER’S WINE CUP

Second half of the 19th century, from the Baptist Missionary Society Collection. 5 ¾” height, carved from a single piece of wood. Globular form with four  tapered fete.  Sharing wine was a bonding ritual among the Kuba. They were veracious, feared slavers in the Congo accounting for a significant number of slaves supplied to the East African trade. This cup showed considerable use at the time of its acquisition in the late 19th century.