H x W x D: 29.1 x 23 x 22.8 cm (11 7/16 x 9 1/16 x 9 in.)
Type:
Textile and Fiber Arts
Geography:
Oyo, Nigeria
Date:
Late 20th century
Label Text:
Purchased at gourd carving cooperative in Oyo, this decorative basket shows the continuation and changing of a tradition. Traditionally, the Yoruba compare circular lidded gourd containers to the universe with two tightly fitting halves representing the ordinary world of the living and the spiritual realm. This gourd is in the form of a handled basket and is pierced with a pattern of geometric motifs and birds.
Description:
Oval gourd cut to a basket shape and decorated by removing the epidermis and cutting a design, leaving holes in some places. The upper openings of the basket have a scalloped design. The design includes stylized birds and geometric patterns and is accented by darkening the grooves and whitening the surface with a chalk-like substance.
Provenance:
Mildred A. Morton, Falls Church, Virginia, collected Oyo, Nigeria, 1973 to 2000
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