Container Item Number: Af471 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A calabash with geometric relief designs around shoulder, above, and on flat base. At the widest circumference are four supernatural beasts. Between and beneath the beasts are shield-like forms and above back tails are wedge-shaped designs. Texture on carved forms is achieved by fine incised lines. The animal portrayed has the body and claws of a cat, a bird-like head, and beak, and a long tail terminating in a spade-shaped tip. Above and beneath the animal are geometric designs consisting of wedge shaped bordered by seven straight horizontal lines encircling the container. The base design consists of tapering arms radiating from a circle. The negative background of the calabash is yellow-red and the positive areas are black. The black forms are outlined in deeper relief than the surrounding background.
History Of Use
Traditionally decorated calabashes were used for religious purposes and later for domestic containers. In recent years, calabashes are used as decorative objects and are made for the tourist trade.
Cultural Context
Tourist art
Item History
- Made in Oyo, Nigeria before 1972
- Collected during 1972
- Owned by Andrew Stewart and Jessie Stewart before February 8, 1980
- Received from Andrew Stewart (Donor) and Jessie Stewart (Donor) on February 8, 1980
What
Who
- Culture
- Yoruba
- Previous Owner
- Andrew Stewart and Jessie Stewart
- Received from
- Andrew Stewart (Donor) and Jessie Stewart (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Oyo, Nigeria
When
- Creation Date
- before 1972
- Collection Date
- during 1972
- Ownership Date
- before February 8, 1980
- Acquisition Date
- on February 8, 1980
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0590/0138