**Originally Listed At $300**

West Africa, Ivory Coast, Baule people, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A goat leather pouch hand sewn and decorated with large pink shells. The bag has a crescent body - flat top and the front flap contains the shell adornments, and the top is decorated with crosshatching stitches. A leather strap extends from one side and a second strap, now absent, would extend from the opposite end for attaching to a belt. While the leather is aged and stiff, the flap can move just enough to see the bag still contains several loose white cowrie shells. Shells were prestige items that were often sewn to knife sheaths, belts, and other leather items. Size: 7" L x 3.125" W x 3.5" H (17.8 cm x 7.9 cm x 8.9 cm)

Provenance: Private Arlington, Virginia, USA collection

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#167596

Missing leather strap on one side and loss to tip of remaining leather strap. Leathering is stiff with cracking areas, and the flap does not completely open. Pouch holds several loose cowrie shells. Dark patina and mineral deposits on leather and shells.