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This is the rating and price for Ethiopian (Borana, Gabra, Or Somali) Milk Jug African, second half of 20th



Description : Additional Information: . Ethiopian pastoral peoples have a variety of containers made in various materials (gourd, wood, animal horn, plant fibers, and leather) and using different kind of designs and decoration. Most of them are made from a combination of media and richly decorated. This type of containers is a handwoven watertight basket in the form of a jug. Leather straps help to carry the Jug. As the pastoral people have to move constantly from place to place, most of the jugs have leather handles which allow the owner to carry his or her jug everywhere he or she goes.These straps are decorated with cowrie shells, which are said to symbolize fertility, femininity, wealth, and protection.These jugs were woven by women using fiber from the roots of various vegetable species available in the area. It takes months to finish a jug, especially for the large container. The women use a coil technique from the base. Strands of fibers are bunched together and wrapped at regular intervals with either one or two other fibers. In addition to the Borana and Gabra, similar vessels are found among Somali, Rendille, and several Oromo groups. These milk jugs were a part of everyday life, used to carry and preserve milk from their cows. Milk is an essential part of pastoral peoples’ diet. Milk was also used in rituals of fertility where it is compared to the semen according to scholars. Thus, similar Jugs, especially the ones call Chicho, or wedding jugs, have an important role to play in marriage rites as symbol of a womb. The family of the groom will present a jug to the new couple. This jug means the marriage itself. Destroying or loosing this jug could cause misfortune for the couple. Milk jugs are present in every household and used daily. , The most decorated ones were reserved for the head of the household or for visitors. For more information: Read Raymond A. Silverman comments on the Baltimore Museum of Art Borana milk container, in Frederick John Lamp (ed.) 2004, SEE THE MUSIC. HEAR THE DANCE. RETHINKING AFRICAN ART AT THE BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF ART, pp. 250-253
Price: 0.00 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 150 USD-200 USD It's free to register now to view!

About the lot N° 91275
Title : Ethiopian (Borana, Gabra, Or Somali) Milk Jug African, Period : second half of 20th
Medium : leather, plastic, vegetal fibers or grass basketry, cowrie shells, unspecified encrusted materials inside
Size : 16 inches H. x 6 inches W.
Condition report : Fair. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage. worn surface and leather, missing shells, broken strands
Africa Direct, auctioneer, Denver, US It's free to register now to view!
Sale title : African Art, Carvings, Masks, Baskets and Beads
Sale date : 25 Sep 2015 It's free to register now to view!
Sale Reference : Live Sale

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