Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Anoter cotton blanket probably bought in 1978 in Niger or Nigeria. The fabric has some stains and needs to be washed

New wood milk bottle from Rwanda. Simple cylindrical shape carved out of single piece of a clear wood. It has it's typical lid, a new item but collected in 1974 in Rwanda.

Authentic old wood milk container from Rwanda. Simple cylindrical shape carved out of single piece of a clear wood. Shows signs of long use, the traditional repairs and reinforcements add a special touch to this nice gourd. Used to collect milk and store food.  Similar item at MEG: ETHAF 012230

Authentic old wood milk container from Rwanda. Simple cylindrical shape carved out of single piece of a clear wood. Shows signs of long use, the traditional repairs add a special touch to this nice gourd. Used to collect milk and store food.  Similar item at MEG: ETHAF 012230

A complete Turkana water or milk container with a  cover which can serve as a cup. It is in his original transport basket. A rare piece.

Made of soft wood, the bottom part is covered in hide. There is a separate lid also made of hide. The surface of the object is decorated with engravings. The ebur  is similar to the vessels called elmolo but bigger. One may be used to store buttetr the othert for milk. Similar object MEG: ETHAF 045640

Made of soft wood and partly covered in hide with straps attached. There is a separate lid also made of hide. The surface of the object is decorated with burnt markings. The Turkana excel in wood and leatherwork. The present vessel lost its leather bottom, eaten up by mouses which love the smell of milk!. Similar objects MEG: ETHAF 045534 - 36

Small wooden bowl with a leather base and straps. Nice patina. Even this one still smells butter; such small containers were also used for honey. Collected around 1975 in the Omo river area it could be Borana as well as Turkana or Pokot.

Made of a cow's horn and partly covered in hide with straps attached. There is a separate lid also made of hide. 

Made of soft wood and partly covered in hide with straps attached. There is a separate lid also made of hide. The surface of the object is decorated with burnt markings. The Turkana excel in wood and leatherwork. The beautiful and attractively decorated wood vessels are generally made out of Ekware wood (Gardenia volkensi) and Ekuruchanait (Delonix alata).Similar objects MEG: ETHAF 045534 - 36

A interesting and rare piece of a container made out of thick animal skin (elephant or buffalo?). It is in perfect condition with a dark black shiny patina. Inside, there is an old black encrusted patina which may be from a combination of materials used to make the pot waterproof.

Intertesting black container made out of elephant or buffalo skin. 

Large wooden bowl used by both Pokot & Turkana tribes. The bowls are carved by the women using traditional tools and an indigenous tree. This bowl was used to receive cow's blood that is obtained by piercing the jugular vein. The cow's blood is then mixed with the cow's milk. The bowl has  lovely engravings and a warm patina. Collected on the shore of lake Turkana around 1974.

Authentic old wood milk container from Rwanda. Simple cylindrical shape carved out of single piece of wood. Used to collect milk and store food.  

This is one of several types of basketry milk containers made and used by the Borana, a pastoral people who raise cattle in southern Ethiopia. The vegetal fibers used in their fabrication are woven very tightly, they are light and extremely durable, and serve as the ideal container for liquids. 

This cylindrical container was carved with great skill from a single piece of wood. This Tutsi jug from Rwanda has metal-sheets repairs, which also could be looked upon as adornments. similar item: MEG ETHAF 012230

This Tutsi cylindrical milk container was carved  from a single piece of wood. Wooden containers were used to collect milk, contain honey or transport food. This Tutsi pot has metal repairs.

This Tutsi cylindrical milk container was carved  from a single piece of wood. Wooden containers were used to collect milk, contain honey or transport food. This Tutsi pot has metal repairs. This example has a beautiful patina and a slim long form

While certain varieties of gourds, pumpkins, are used as vegetables, larger ones are used as containers. The Inyungu variety is used to make large butter churns or containers for the banana beer, Urwagwa. Once the gourd cut, the flesh is scooped out, the shell is dried, and its rim is polished with umuseno leaves.The gourd has a lovely patina. If desired it can be delivered with its suspension.

While certain varieties of gourds, pumpkins, are used as vegetables, larger ones are used as containers. The Inyungu variety is used to make large butter churns or containers for the banana beer, Urwagwa. Once the gourd cut, the flesh is scooped out, the shell is dried, and its rim is polished with umuseno leaves.The gourd has a small hole, broken part, see picture, otherwise its an outstanding and rare piece, wih a lovely warm patina.

This Maasai gourd from East Africa is made to contain a mixture of milk and blood, which was the traditional renewable source of protein of the Maasai. The jug may also be used to store water, honey and cornmeal.  The gourd is decorated with colored glass beads. The detachable cover is of calabash and leather. The interior would be sterilized by washing it out with cow urine and then herbs are burned inside. The jug has beutiful warm and shiny patina. A gorgeous piece, highly decorative.

A lMaasai gourd made to contain a mixture of milk and blood, which was the traditional renewable source of protein of the Maasai. The jug may also be used to store water, honey and cornmeal.  The leather strap is decorated with coloured beads. The detachable cover is in leather. The interior would be sterilized by washing it out with cow urine and then herbs are burned inside. The gourd has dark brown/redish patina and some traditional repairs.

A long and fine Maasai gourd from East Africa made to contain a mixture of milk and blood, which was the traditional renewable source of protein of the Maasai. The jug may also be used to store water, honey and cornmeal.  The leather strap is decorated with cowrie shells and beads. The detachable cover is also of calabash. The interior would be sterilized by washing it out with cow urine and then herbs are burned inside. The gourd has a ldark brown patina.

A long and fine Maasai gourd from East Africa made to contain a mixture of milk and blood, which was the traditional renewable source of protein of the Maasai. The jug may also be used to store water, honey and cornmeal.  The leather strap is decorated with cowrie shells and beads. The detachable cover is also of calabash. The interior would be sterilized by washing it out with cow urine and then herbs are burned inside. The gourd has a lovely, warm yellowish an patina.

An East African milk container with beadwork decoration. The cover is missing, there is a not open crack (see picture). The gourd has a lovely, warm and brilliant patina.

Two small milk container. One witth leather and beads decoration. Both have a beautiful warm patina. One comes with it's cover (not on the picture)

Lovely small butter container made out of a calabash set in a leather base. A beautiful greasy dark red/brown patina.

While certain varieties of gourds, pumpkins, are used as vegetables, larger ones are used as containers. The Inyungu variety is used to make large butter churns or containers for the banana beer, Urwagwa. Once the gourd cut, the flesh is scooped out, the shell is dried, and its rim is polished with umuseno leaves.The gourd has a nice patina and an iteresting repair, see pictures.

Nice small container, probably for butter, it still smells quite strong. Nice dark brown-reddish patina.