Pot Carrier Item Number: 2878/58 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Small, ring-shaped cushion decorated with white cowrie shells. The inside core of the carrier is filled with grass which has then been covered by a heavy blue cotton and stitched tightly together in order to retain the circular shape. On the outside of the carrier there is a repeating quatra-foil pattern made from cowrie shells. The top and bottom edge is trimmed with a circle of cowrie shells sewn end to end. There are two tassels made of folded and sewn blue cotton that are sewn on to the inside of the carrier, each with a single cowrie shell sewn to the end. Around the inside of the carrier there are remnants of a red piece of cloth which has been worn away in several places.

History Of Use

This traditional Mutwa pot carrier helps distribute the load for women carrying heavy objects on their heads. It is a common tool used throughout the Kutch District and beyond. In the cities, women carrying loads such as building materials use these items, but in the villages where this piece comes from, the usual loads are heavy brass water pots.

Narrative

Sometimes these pot carriers are simply made from twisted straw and sewn cotton, but as with this object, often village women decorate them by sewing on beads or shells in decorative patterns. This piece is covered in cowrie shells that were a trade item from the Arabian Sea Coast.

Item History

What

Name
Pot Carrier
Identification Number
2878/58
Type of Item
carrier
Material
cotton fibre, grass and cowrie shell
Overall
height 4.1 cm, width 8.0 cm, depth 12.0 cm, diameter 8.0 cm

Who

Culture
Gujarati ?
Previous Owner
Tamarin Productions Inc.
Received from
Tamarin Productions Inc. (Seller) and Ruth Read Bequest (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Gujarat, India

When

Collection Date
during 1980
Ownership Date
before May 4, 2011
Acquisition Date
on May 4, 2011

Other

Condition
good
Accession Number
2878/0058