Vintage Beaded Maasai Calabash - Kenya - 52.3

Vintage Beaded Maasai Calabash (Gourd)

​This authentic, hand-crafted calabash is more than just a vessel; it is a storied piece of East African heritage. Traditionally used by the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania for storing and cooling milk or water, these gourds are prized for their organic silhouettes and the personal history etched into their decorative repair work.

​Artistry & Craftsmanship

• ​Organic Form: The vessel is fashioned from a naturally dried and hollowed-out gourd, boasting a tall, tapered neck and a warm, honey-toned patina that has deepened with age and use.
• ​Intricate Beadwork: Adorned with traditional Maasai glass beads in classic white, red, and blue, the beadwork is woven into leather straps that wrap around the body. These patterns often denote the owner's status or clan lineage.
• ​Repaired with Intention: Note the textured metal and leather patches held in place by delicate wirework. In many African cultures, a break isn't a flaw—it’s an opportunity for "functional beauty," where repairs are made with decorative intent to extend the life of a precious object.

Approx dimension:  H 54cm W 10cm D 10cm