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The Kuba Basket Royal Beaded Raffia with Shells is a traditional craftwork that originates from the Kuba Kingdom, located in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. These intricately designed baskets are highly prized for their exquisite beauty and cultural significance. The Kuba people are renowned for their exceptional weaving skills and their mastery of working with natural materials. The creation of these baskets involves a meticulous and time-consuming process, often passed down through generations. The primary material uséd in making these baskets is raffia palm, a type of palm tree native to Central and East Africa. The Kuba people carefully harvest the raffia leaves, strip them into thin strands, and then dye them using natural pigments obtained from plants and minerals. This allows for a wide range of colors and patterns to be incorporated into the baskets. The intricate patterns found on the Kuba Baskets are created by a technique known as "kasai velvet." This technique involves the insertion of short lengths of dyed raffia fibers into the woven structure of the basket, creating a raised, textured effect. The patterns often feature geometric shapes, symbols, and motifs that hold cultural and spiritual significance within the Kuba community. Each design tells a unique story and reflects the artistic expression and heritage of the Kuba people. One of the distinctive features of the Kuba Basket is the addition of shells. These shells, often collected from the nearby rivers, lakes, or coastlines, are carefully selected and incorporated into the basket's design. They serve as decorative elements, enhancing the overall visual appeal of the piece. The Kuba Basket holds a significant cultural importance within the Kuba community. These baskets are not only considered a form of functional art but also play a role in various ceremonial and ritualistic practices. They are uséd during important occasions such as weddings, funerals, and other traditional events. They may serve as containers for important objects or gifts, or they may be displayed as a symbol of wealth, status, and cultural heritage. Due to their exceptional craftsmanship and cultural significance, Kuba Baskets have gained recognition and admiration beyond the borders of the Kuba Kingdom. They have become highly sought-after collectibles and are often displayed in museums, galleries, and private collections around the world. The intricate detailing, vibrant colors, and unique combination of materials make these baskets a truly remarkable and cherished art form, representing the rich cultural heritage of the Kuba people and the Democratic Republic of Congo as a whole. TB1022 **143263** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2023 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. |
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Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 56,000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125,000 in charity auctions. Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card. Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order. When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card. U.S. Shipping: Our staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of labor and the special packing materials uséd is reflected in our shipping price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. . International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request. Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletter |
