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Item number 3512/33 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Ostrich egg water holder with a hole drilled into the top. Incised geometric and animal motifs throughout; incisions are filled in black. Wide border, with an arrow motif through the centre, circles top of egg. On the front and back, extending from the border to the base, are curved horn-like designs; the horns are made up of wavy lines. In between the horns are a line of connected concentric diamonds. Antelope designs are on the left and right sides; both are standing straight and depicted in profile. Base is undecorated.

History Of Use

Khoisan would drill a small hole into ostrich eggs and eat the raw egg. They would then fill the containers with water, using a plant stem, and bury them for future use while hunting or moving to seasonal camps. Added leather straps would allow them to be carried on belts or in hunting kits. Markings were used to show ownership.