Hand-carved African wooden container of undetermined specific function, ex Hans Himmelheber and Egon Guenther collections.

A small hand-carved wooden vessel or container attributed to East or Central Africa. The object is formed from a single piece of hardwood with a deep hollowed chamber accessed through a tapered opening. While its precise original purpose remains uncertain, vessels of this type were traditionally used for the storage, preparation, or containment of personal, medicinal, domestic, or specialist materials.

The surface displays a well-developed age patina together with natural shrinkage cracks and wear consistent with long-term use and age. The vessel retains an old fibre cord around its waist and bears an "HH" collection mark associated with the noted ethnographer and collector Hans Himmelheber. Objects of this nature were collected for their ethnographic interest and provide insight into everyday material culture across African societies.

Circa:
Late 19th to early 20th century

Provenance:
Hans Himmelheber Collection; acquired into the Egon Guenther Collection; by family descent to the Thomas Guenther Collection, Netherlands.

Measurements:
Length 15.35 cm
Maximum diameter 5.83 cm
Internal bore depth 7.22 cm

Weight:
106 g