Southeast Africa, Tanzania, Zigua (Wazigua) people, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. This is a fascinating medicinal container and fetish effigy made from antelope or kudu horn, with a wooden head stopper and cotton bindings. The horn is hollow and positioned pointed tip downwards and the wide opening creates a mouth for the container and a socket for the wooden anthropomorphic head to rest in as the stopper lid. The head is stylized and carved with large ears, slightly open mouth, broad nose, and the eyes are inset with white glass beads. An iron bell and a second wooden figure is attached to the side of the horn, all are tightly bound together and wrapped with many strips of cloth. This second figure has a zoomorphic, almost simian quality, perhaps to represent a monkey. These horn containers were for ritualistic use and held symbolic medicinal substances that were used to cure the sick or to cast spells. Size: 12.5" L x 3" W (31.8 cm x 7.6 cm); 13" H (33 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection
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#164757
Condition
Mineral, earthen deposits, and patina throughout wood, cloth, and horn. Staining and discoloration to cloth, and some fraying and unraveling, but horn, bell, and wooden figure are securely attached. Minor chips and cracking to horn around wider end. Wooden head stopper is removable.