Ritual clysters
Kuba people, D. R. Congo
Wood
11.5, 7, 9.25 inches (29, 17.8m 23.5 cm) plus bases
Mid-20th century
These hollow wood funnels were used to ritually administer enemas, and were carved with motifs similar to those used on other Kuba objects and textiles. Earlier texts show the spelling as glister or klyster.
Sold separately, from left to right:
An oval-shaped bowl is surmounted with a band of interlocking carved parallel lines and is joined to the funnel tube by two raised circular bands. The tip of the tube has some loss – please see photo; 12 inches high as based. $850
A small gracefully tapering funnel is carved with curved parallel raised lines. Intact; 9 inches high as based. $450
A large round bowl with everted rim, this tall clyster has a band of interlaced zig-zags with a raised diamond pattern in the background. Intact; 13 inches high as based. $900
