Cup c. 20th century

This small cup, made by a Kuba artist, has such an appealingly warm, earthy tonality. It’s clear that some sort of carving tool was used, probably many times over, to create all of the geometric surface patterns on the bulbous base. I can imagine the patient hands of the artist, slowly building up the forms. It reminds me of my own process when I begin a painting, laying down line by line. I wonder how they decided to divide the surface of the cup into different textured bands. The lines have a beautiful irregularity; you can feel the presence of the hand, so direct, so intimate. The handle, too, has such a tactile quality, like a twisted piece of rope. All these thoughtful details give the cup a unique, almost anthropomorphic quality. Like a mini-sculpture, it makes me realize that making is also a form of thinking.