Sieve Item Number: Ac229 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Cylindrical object which tapers then flares widely to large light brown wrapped rim with a convex base. Light brown with dark brown designs. Upper third at flaring mouth in uniform diagonals of light brown alternating with dark brown formed by two/three twill interlacing. Main body, of lower two-thirds, in widely-spaced weft twining: fine dark brown fibre weft elements, four horizontal lines, over stiff light brown warps. Base is interlacing with irregular order. Woven to surface over warps above and below weft-twined body are long horizontal elements around circumference.

History Of Use

Sieves were used for food preparation, possibly with a spirtual or educational context as well. The decorative coiling on this basket commonly relates to divination. In regards to food preparation, corn, having been removed from husks, is first pounded with mortar and pestle then sifted through weave of this kind of material container.

Cultural Context

Demonstration

Narrative

The collector, Nellie Taylor, served as a nursing missionary (1900-1920), first with the Ovimbundu at Bihe, then with the Chokwe at luma Kasai. She belonged to a group who sponsored several missions across Central Africa from 1881-1931.