Carved wooden utility vessel, Kenya - with side handles and a decorative relief band

Utilitarian vessel carved in wood, Kenya – with side lugs and a decorative band in relief

A traditional African object in solid wood, hand-worked by a craftsman in Kenya, most probably from a tribe of the central or southern region (Kikuyu, Meru or Kamba). The piece has an elongated ovoid form, two lateral lugs (for suspension or carrying) and a decorative band around the middle, carved in relief with a vertical rhythm. This band is both functional (strengthening the structure) and decorative.

The wood has a substantial patina, indicating long practical use but also good overall preservation. The interior is deep, which suggests it was used for storing liquids or grain.

This type of vessel is specific to the East African region and is rarely found in private collections outside the continent. Its massive, robust forms, refined in their proportions, place it close to utilitarian objects with an artistic value of their own.

Dimensions:
– Height: 41 cm
– Diameter of the mouth: 13 cm