African Tribal Maasai Multi-Color Hand Painted Pottery Woman Gourd Sculpture 12"

Description

Offered for sale, a multi-colored, hand painted solid clay pottery sculpture of an African (Kenya/Tanzania region) Maasai tribal female woman in traditional 19th Century dress, holding a calabash or gourd.  She has elongated or stretched ear lobes and is adorned with a red bib/collar (typically bead) necklace, arm bands, and anklets.  Gourds were picked by the Maasai women and were either eaten when young as vegetables or allowed to dry and become a vessel for serving.  One common delicacy it was used to serve was a mixture of milk and cow's blood which they believed made the body warmer and stronger, good for children and the elderly to build up their strength.  Gourds were also decorated with leather and beads and used as decorative items.  The hand painting is extensive and well carried out.  This sculpture is in very good condition with no damage other than minor specks of paint missing and inherent flaws.  The sculpture measures 12 1/2" in height; 4" in width.  Most other similar sculptures are made of wood.  A rare and collectible piece.  It has a significant weight of 1 lb. 12 ounces.