Container 18th/19th century

This container was woven by an artist of the Kongo people using plant fiber. Baskets such as this one were often used to hold precious objects that symbolized the status of the owner. The woven lozenges and zigzags that decorate the surface create a visual language. These highly abstract patterns are understood to contain layers of meaning, evoking proverbs, cosmological diagrams, and other esoteric knowledge. These symbols were reserved for use by members of the elite. Objects of prestige like this container are an expression of social hierarchy. By studying them, we can reconstruct the values, beliefs, and social structures that shaped the Kongo world. Historical sources such as missionary accounts, ethnographic studies, and collections of proverbs, allow us to better understand the significance of this artwork. Through this, the container becomes a window into a rich and complex history.