Libation Drinking Cup

drac2k · 26th March 2025, 08:34 PM

I just came back from a Great Baltimore Show, and I enjoyed seeing Oliver, Ron, Rick, and the rest of the crew.
The show is much more than swords, guns, and knives and as such I returned with one of my usual/unusual purchases that have nothing to do with the above.
I have what I believe to be a horn libation cup and I thought it could be African, however a very learned individual said that he thought that it was Indonesian; does anyone have a clue to it's origins?

Rick · 27th March 2025, 06:19 AM

A lovely piece of art.
The first place that came to my mind was Benin and the bronzes made there.

drac2k · 27th March 2025, 03:06 PM

Thanks. The bronze portion certainly could be Benin,however, I feel that the whole cup would have been crafted in bronze if it were so; also I am not familiar with the Benin People carving natural substances.
Maybe it is a married piece, Benin with something else.

Rick · 27th March 2025, 05:05 PM

I don't get an Indonesian vibe from the carving style, Drac.
I doubt it's a married piece.
I'll still go with West Africa.
It's just a gut feeling though.

kahnjar1 · 27th March 2025, 08:54 PM

Second last pic shows a turtle near the opening of the "cup" so I suggest maybe from the Ivory Coast, which by the way is not too far from Benin as the crow flys. Either way I would say this is an African piece as the carving (to me) does not look Asian.
Stu

drac2k · 28th March 2025, 04:56 AM

Thanks to all;African it is . I have a whole host of animals on the carvings as well as some human figures which I just noticed that may give additional clues to it's origin that I will post later.

drac2k · 28th March 2025, 10:48 PM

Here are some pictures that might help.

26th March 2025, 08:34 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	Libation Drinking Cup I just came back from a Great Baltimore Show, and I enjoyed seeing Oliver, Ron, Rick, and the rest of the crew. The show is much more than swords, guns, and knives and as such I returned with one of my usual/unusual purchases that have nothing to do with the above. I have what I believe to be a horn libation cup and I thought it could be African, however a very learned individual said that he thought that it was Indonesian; does anyone have a clue to it's origins? Attached Images

28th March 2025, 10:48 PM	#7
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	Here are some pictures that might help. Attached Images

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27th March 2025, 06:19 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	A lovely piece of art. The first place that came to my mind was Benin and the bronzes made there.

27th March 2025, 03:06 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	Thanks. The bronze portion certainly could be Benin,however, I feel that the whole cup would have been crafted in bronze if it were so; also I am not familiar with the Benin People carving natural substances. Maybe it is a married piece, Benin with something else.

27th March 2025, 05:05 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	I don't get an Indonesian vibe from the carving style, Drac. I doubt it's a married piece. I'll still go with West Africa. It's just a gut feeling though.

27th March 2025, 08:54 PM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,811	Second last pic shows a turtle near the opening of the "cup" so I suggest maybe from the Ivory Coast, which by the way is not too far from Benin as the crow flys. Either way I would say this is an African piece as the carving (to me) does not look Asian. Stu

28th March 2025, 04:56 AM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	Thanks to all;African it is . I have a whole host of animals on the carvings as well as some human figures which I just noticed that may give additional clues to it's origin that I will post later.