Bowl
Item number Ad58 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
Public
RRN ID
Item Records
This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.
The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.
These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.
- Data
- Data Source
This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Description
Calabash or gourd sliced in half. Hollow pumpkin-shaped and very deep with a curved handle on one end. Outside surface covered with black incised geometric linear lines with snakes, lizards, and other creatures around the centre area bordered by abstract patterns. Leather strip pierced through in three holes in a loop.
History Of Use
Calabash is a type of gourd which grows in many shapes and sizes. The use of each gourd depends on its natural shape: used for food bowls, ceremonial bowls, and drinking vessels. Usually carved by men. Carved only by specialists, who use heated knife blade or smaller tool to scratch areas, then rub with dark soot to stain incised areas. Most patterns are geometric motifs of plants, animals, household objects and humans. Gourds turn darker with age and use. Usually a favourite one is considered for its form, decoration, age, patterns and repairs; other uses include well buckets, water pots, travelling containers, churns, sounding- boards of musical instruments, water pipe, and smaller ones used for snuff boxes and medicine cases.
Cultural Context
Domestic utensil
Narrative
Possibly from the Borana?
Item History
- Made in Kenya before 1978
- Collected during 1978
- Owned by Marta Friesen before March 3, 1981
- Received from Marta Friesen (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on March 3, 1981
What
- Name
- Bowl
- Identification Number
- Ad58
- Type of Item
- bowl
- Material
- calabash fruit and leather skin
- Manufacturing Technique
- hollowed, pitted, carved, pierced, skinned and incised
- Overall
- height 10.5 cm, width 24.1 cm, depth 20.1 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Kenya
Who
- Culture
- East African
- Previous Owner
- Marta Friesen
- Received from
- Marta Friesen (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
When
- Creation Date
- before 1978
- Collection Date
- during 1978
- Ownership Date
- before March 3, 1981
- Acquisition Date
- on March 3, 1981
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0705/0032
Ask a question
Let the RRN community answer your questions
Public
With an account, you can ask other users a question about this item. Request an Account
Shared Knowledge
Share your knowlege of this item with the RRN community
Public
With an account, you can submit information about this item and have it visible to all users and institutions on the RRN. Request an Account
Similar Items
