Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0018-0110   CAS 0018-0110; Water jar with lid
Category Bead & Leatherwork; Vessels
Object Name Water jar with lid
Culture Kikuyu
Global Region Sub-Saharan Africa
Country Kenya
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930
Collection Name N/A
Materials Gourd; Glass beads; Leather; Metal chain; Native cordage
Description Milk or water jar made from hallowed gourd with constricted neck, whose top has been removed to form an opening; Exterior of gourd (except for underbody and upper portion of neck) is completely covered in beaded network formed by vertical rows of beads strung between vertical leather spacer bars; Checkerboard pattern consists of alternating panels in white and dark blue; Short doubled chain loops are pendant from lowest row of beadwork to form fringes; Long flat leather carrying strap extends up one side and neck of jar and down the opposite side and is completely covered on one face with blue and white beads; Stopper made from end of gourd is decorated with white and black bead fringes.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 23.0, Max Diam = 19.5