Horn of Africa / Northern East Africa, probably 19th century
10 1/2 in. H × 10 in. W at widest point
A wonderfully sculptural hand-carved African vessel of bold, almost architectural form, with a full rounded body rising to broad shoulders and a short, constricted mouth. Two extraordinary elongated handles are carved integrally with the body, each terminating in a small pierced opening for suspension or carrying. Their tall, slightly irregular profiles give the vessel tremendous folk-art character.
The surface is particularly beautiful, ranging from warm honey and chestnut brown across the lower body to deep chocolate and nearly black around the shoulders, neck and interior, the result of generations of handling and use. The mouth retains an unusual continuous fiber-bound rim, adding another layer of texture and visual interest.
Most compelling is the extensive early repair to a major body split. Rather than discard the vessel, its owner painstakingly stitched the wood together with broad strands of vegetal fiber, creating a dramatic ladder-like pattern across the surface. Now deeply aged itself, the repair has become one of the vessel’s most expressive features—a wonderful testament to necessity, ingenuity and the value once placed upon this humble working object.
Numerous tiny old insect holes, surface wear, checking and irregularities further contribute to its beautifully weathered character.
A powerful piece of African utilitarian folk art, remarkable for its voluptuous form, rich variegated color, wonderfully eccentric pierced handles and exceptional indigenous sewn repair.