Ethnic Design Collection Reto Zehnder

Borana milk jug used not only by Borana people but also Oromo, Somali and Gabra. This container is made from a gourd (pumpkins)  decorated with cowrie shells. Intricate basketry is present at the top,  but  the lid is missing. Inside this jug, there is an old  encrusted patina which may be from a combination of materials used in order to make the container waterproof. 

Ethiopian calabsh container covered in cowrie shell. Exact origin and use not known, probably not milk but honey or water. An unique and beatiful collectible.

This is a unique composite milk container from the Borana or affiéiated tribes in the Omo river area of Southern Ethiopia. The milk that these containers hold is a symbol of abundance. The container's symbolic meaning stems from its structure. In Borana society, weaving is associated with fertility. The container and the milk thus symbolize the ideal combination of abundance and fertility.

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.

This huge and richly decorated bowl from the Fulani tribe is in perfect condition, without any cracks. Its rich pyrogravure and its warm patina makes it an exceptional, highly decorative piece.

This calabash, despite its prolonged use, is in perfect condition.  A bowl of this size without any cracks and so richly decorated, added to its lovely brow/redish warm patina is a real rarity. The calabash comes with its traditional suspension.

This calabash, despite its prolonged use, is in perfect condition.  A bowl of this size without any cracks and so richly decorated, added to its lovely brow/redish warm patina is a real rarity, worth to be in any museum collection. One of our most exceptional piece.

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 exceptionally huge and richly decorated bowl from the Fulani tribe has unfortunately been broken and repaired in a non-traditional manner (glued). Nevertheless, the cracks are hardly visible, and the calabash conserves a highly decorative value.  Ideally, it deserves a traditional repair. We are interested in any contact, an elderly Fulani woman or men, who still has the knowledge repairing calabashes.

This calabash has a fine and traditional repair. It differs from most other regional calabashes by its warm yellowish colour.  Possible origin: Northern Benin to be confirmed. Despite its repair it doesn't seems to have been used over a long period.

This calabash, despite its prolonged use, is in perfect condition with an old brown patina. The inside may have been coloured at the time. A beautiful old piece to be in any collection.

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 gourdp is decorated with coloured 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.

This interesting calabash inside and outside pyro-engraved with animals: snake, lezard,birds, monkeys. 

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.

This is a large older, beautifully incised and richly patinated calabash from the Fulani tribe of Northern Cameroon. It was a common sight to see Fulani women to bring milk to the market in such vessels, before giving way to Chinese enamelware.

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)

Small calabash with very fine pyrography patterns, bought on Kano market around 1972. The motifs a quite different from other Fulani calabashes and cover the entire calabash. Two cracks have been repaired, in a traditional manner, adding an additional value to this bowl.

This calabash shows signs of prolonged use. Cracks have been repaired at different periods. The interior has an interesting brown-reddish patina.  A nice object for an exciting collection.
 

This calabash shows signs of prolonged use. The calabash has the most interesting and beautiful repairs I have ever seen. The decoration also differs from the traditional Fulani type. It has a light brownish patina. A beautiful object for any collection. 
 

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

This is a large older, beautifully incised and richly patinated calabash from the Fulani tribe of Northern Cameroon. It was a common sight to see Fulani women to bring milk to the market in such vessels, before giving way to Chinese enamelware. The calabash has been lovingly repaired, one of our beutiful piece in our collection.

A medium sized, beautifully incised and richly patinated calabash from the nomadic Fulani of northern Cameroon. Such calabashes which are lightweight, remarkably durable and are well suited to personalized decoration. The present calabash is an older one, nevertheless withou anycracks or repairs and with a warm patina. Similar item at : Musée de l'Homme, M.H. 1931.75.2482, and MEG (geneva) No ETHAF 046001-3

A huge, beautifully incised and richly patinated calabash from the nomadic Fulani of northern Cameroon. Such calabashes which are lightweight, remarkably durable and are well suited to personalized decoration. The present calabash is an older one with a well worn and variegated patina. It is extremly rare to finfd this size of gourd in perfect condition without any cracks and repairs.Exceptionally large with 50-56 cm in diameter. Similar item at: Musée de l'Homme, M.H. 1931.75.2482, and MEG (Geneva) No ETHAF 046001-3

A beautifully incised and richly patinated calabash from the nomadic Fulani of northern Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and Chad. The present calabash is an older one with a reddish patina. On small, not open crack hardly visible and some signs of use, see pictures.

Similar item at : Musée de l'Homme, M.H. 1931.75.2482, and MEG (geneva) No ETHAF 046001-3

A beautifully incised and richly patinated calabash from the nomadic Fulani of northern Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and Chad. The present calabash is an older one with a reddish patina. One small, not open crack hardly visible and some signs of use, see pictures.

Similar item at : Musée de l'Homme, M.H. 1931.75.2482, and MEG (geneva) No ETHAF 046001-3

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.

A huge, beautifully incised and richly patinated calabash from the nomadic Fulani of northern Cameroon. Such calabashes which are lightweight, remarkably durable and are well suited to personalized decoration. The present rare calabash is an older but in an exceptional condition, without any cracks or repairs.Similar item at : Musée de l'Homme, M.H. 1931.75.2482, and MEG (geneva) No ETHAF 046001-3