Container Item Number: K2.20 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Round container (part a) with lid (part b). Simple geometric designs in horizontal bands around the outer surface, in shades of brown stain.
History Of Use
Container used for storing and transporting drinking water, porridge, fresh or fermented milk, local beer and wine, honey, ghee, animal fat, salt, tobacco, perfume, medicinal herbs, or food grain. They can also be used as a plate in order to retain warmth and keep insects from approaching the food; larger calabashes are used to winnow grains while small halves are used as drinking cups. Calabashes can also be turned into animal feeders, well buckets, vases, funnels, floats for fishing nets, wash basins, irrigation pots, cages for chickens, masks, musical instruments, and even as suitcases for storing clothes.
Item History
- Made in Nigeria
- Owned by British Museum before August 1960
- Received from British Museum (Exchanger) during August 1960
What
- Name
- Container
- Identification Number
- K2.20 a-b
- Type of Item
- container
- Material
- calabash fruit
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved
- Overall
- height 10.3 cm, diameter 10.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- West African
- Previous Owner
- British Museum
- Received from
- British Museum (Exchanger)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Nigeria
When
- Ownership Date
- before August 1960
- Acquisition Date
- during August 1960
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0022/0007 a