The use of traditional medicine containers represented in this collection demonstrates their wider usage through-out many culture's in Tanzania, however this is mainly associated to the coastal regions to the north and south and not to the cultures in the central and western regions where they rarely existed. Such cultures included, for example, the Zaromo, Kwere, Luguru, Zigua, Makonde, and Kaguru. This special collection of ten containers, all with carved wooden stoppers depicting male and female heads and busts with glass beaded eyes and gourd bases, some decorated with glass bead strands and attachments, mostly derive from these mentioned cultures. All have been traditionally used and most still contain medicines used in traditional healing and rituals.
Such items were a prized possession of the traditional healer, a collection of containers was a show of his or her strength and success, thus commanding respect in the community. They would only be parted with when a healer could no longer practise due to ill health. They would then be passed down to the family and often traded.
Estimated Period: Mid 20th century or before.
Note: This group of ten containers has been priced to sell as a collection. The collection price is generally 30 percent lower then if each piece was sold separately.
Ranging in heights : 18cm to 27 cm
(Click on images to enlarge)
SOLD
