VINTAGE CARVED WOOD AND METAL MILK VESSEL HIMA / NYANKOLE PEOPLE CENTRAL AFRICA

Description

GJPaw
Auctions is pleased to offer a stunningly beautiful Milk Vessel from the Hima / Nyankole People of Uganda, Central Africa. For many tribes in Central Africa including the Bembe, Hima and Tutsi, cattle herding was an essential aspect of life. The animals provided transport, agricultural necessities, income and food. Their milk was especially important as a source of nutrition. They were collected in wooden vessels, cylindrical in shape among the Bembe and Tutsi; the Hima crafted them with a slightly flared base called
Ekyanzi
. The walls of the vessels were made as thin as possible to allow maximum storage, making them valuable objects that were well worth fixing when damaged. Fissures were repaired with small tabs of metal in a zipper-like pattern while larger cracks were covered with elegantly shaped sheets. The vessels were capped with tightly woven and colorfully decorated fiber tops while the bodies were occasionally incised with geometric designs reminiscent of tribal scarification marks. Though utilitarian in function, the sleek forms and simplicity of design have made them attractive adornments for contemporary interiors. This highly characteristic and beautiful piece is made of wood with metal detailing, together with a plant fiber top. It measures 7.5 inches in diameter by 8.25 inches in height (19.0 cm by 20.9 cm). It shows wear consistent with use, including small scrapes, scratches, chips and cracks that are a normal part of the patina. It probably dates to the late 20th century. Guaranteed authentic, it would make a fine collector’s piece for anyone involved in African art.
GJPaw
Auctions has been in the Art business for over 25 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay.  Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been delivering in-person to collectors across the globe at
Primitive
in Chicago.  Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected with special attention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide. Add
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A1200-319