Cosmetic Box

CultureKuba

Dateearly 1900s

MediumWood and camwood pigment

DimensionsOverall: 2 7/8 × 14 × 5 1/2 inches (7.3 × 35.56 × 13.97 cm)
.1 (Lid): 3/4 × 14 × 5 1/2 inches (1.91 × 35.56 × 13.97 cm)
.2 (Base): 2 1/4 × 14 × 5 1/2 inches (5.72 × 35.56 × 13.97 cm)

Credit LineGift of Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, 2025

Object number2025.56.7

On View

Not on view

Terms

DescriptionElaborately carved Kuba boxes are used to store and ground red wooden tukula powder, called twool, used as a cosmetic or to dye cloth. The intricate geometric patterns that cover the box resemble the motifs employed by Kuba-style artists in their raffia weaving.Provenance

Provenance

With François Rabier, Brussels, Belgium;

Purchased from François Rabier by Taylor Dale Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, by July 5, 2003 [1];

Purchased from Taylor Dale Gallery by Ralph T. Coe (1929-2010), Santa Fe, NM, July 5, 2003-2010 [2];

His bequest to the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, NM, 2010-2025;

The Coe Center's gift to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 2025.

NOTES:

[1] According to object documentation provided by the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts at the time of the object's gift, see Nelson-Atkins curatorial files.

[2] Ibid.

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