101 their chemical compositions, and on ornamentation techniques and sources of inspiration, as well as a discussion of the diversity of styles. Perhaps the only thing regrettable about this book is that it was not followed by a second volume that would have included new information on the many acquisitions made after it was published. For instance, in the 1910s, colonial officer A. Hutereau contributed more than 450 ceramic objects to the museum, and on a museumsponsored expedition at around the same time, curator J. Maes collected some 260 additional pieces. In the 1930s, herpetologist G. de Witte gave the Musée du Congo Belge (another iteration of the MRAC’s name), The Taste of the Earth FIG. 4 (below): Anthropomorphic ceramic. Kanyok, DR Congo. 27 x 17 cm. Collected before 1897. MRAC, inv. EO.0.0.14968. In the literature, Kanyok and Luba anthropomorphic pots are often described as having a religious function (see Nooter Roberts, 1995, p. 367). Especially among the Central Luba of the Lualaba Lakes region, pots of this kind were used within the framework of divination; however, the mere fact of a cephalomorphic shape on a Luba or Kanyok ceramic is not a sufficient iconographic indication to allow such an object to be unhesitatingly described as having an association with a ritual context. Potters from both of these cultures have definitely created mutshibi and other kasab (pots, pitchers) with cephalomorphic necks whose only function was to hold liquids, whether water or alcohol. In view of this, it is important to be prudent with regard to making any definitive assumptions about this vessel. The only facts that are certain are: 1) The vessel contained a liquid that left a whitish, slightly oily residue with a vague odor, possibly wine or palm oil. 2) Its overall form and the way the head was made are similar to vessels observed in the village of Kalamba, which were reserved for use by the chief and certain dignitaries. FIG. 3 (below): Anthropomorphic ceramic created by Voania. Woyo, DR Congo. 41 x 18 cm. Collected before 1931, gift of His Majesty Albert I. MRAC, inv. EO.0.0.32948. FIG. 5 (left): Pottery making. Medje region, DR Congo. Photographed by H. Goldstein in 1949, MRAC archives, inv. EP.0.0.14120. This photograph bears witness to an interesting practice associated with the manufacture of kede and kpengu. Their creation involved a division of labor between a male and a female potter. The woman was responsible for the manufacture of the body of the pot, and the man made the neck, the figural part of the piece. Another photograph taken at the same time in the Dilolo area also shows two potters producing different parts of a same ceramic (fig. 6).
T80E
To see the actual publication please follow the link above