**Originally Listed At $250**

East Africa, Ethiopia/ Kenya, Boorana (Borena) or Turkana culture, ca. early to mid-20th century CE; Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Abelam culture, ca. mid-20th century CE. A lidded storage jar from East Africa hand-carved from wood, and a woven plant fiber headdress / mask crest from Papua New Guinea, likely from a yam festival. The vessel has rattan cords stitched along the rim and used to repair an old crack; the cords pulling the wood together flush as the fiber dries and shrinks. The interior has a mineral deposit and has the distinctive odor that comes with use from holding milk or fat, which seeps into the wood with use and creates a musky scent. The woven crest surface is hand painted with red and white pigments, also from natural sources, such as ochres and kaolin. Growing yams had a cultural and religious significance, and each year massive yams were dressed up in masks and woven crests, such as this, as part of ritual celebration. Size of jar: 7.5" L x 6" W (19 cm x 15.2 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#161907

Mineral deposits on interior of vessel from use. Evidence of fat / milk storage due to light odor which is not very strong.