Snuff Mortar (Tesa Ya Ma Kanya)
Unknown Artist
late 1800s
Medium
Wood, upholstery studs, cloth, and metal
Dimensions
{"overall":{"height":0.225,"width":0.084,"depth":0.138}}
Classification
Tool
Department
African Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Katherine C. White
Accession Number
1978.28
About this artwork
Tobacco, introduced into Africa in the 16th century, became the prerogative of leaders. As patrons of the arts, Chokwe chiefs commissioned elaborate pipes and mortars as part of their court regalia for display during public gatherings.