Milk Container (Akarum), Turkana people, Kenya - Kenya (No reserve price)
02
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€ 1
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 160 - € 200
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Milk Container (Akarum), Turkana people, Kenya; an eastern Turkana karum dating to the 1960s, carved from a single block of wood with glass bead decoration and ochre patina, provenance Collected in situ.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Origin: Turkana people
Country: Kenya
Material: Wood, leather, glass beads
Height: 33 cm
Presumed age: 1960s
Provenance: Collected in situ
Sold with a grass bangle for display
As nomadic pastoralists, the Turkana of northern Kenya produce primarily functional objects, designed to be easily transportable and crafted from materials readily available in their harsh, semi-desert environment. While the forms of domestic objects are transmitted through generations, each piece reflects the individuality and skill of its maker.
The akarum is the most elaborate Turkana milk container. Carved by women from a single block of wood, it is likely inspired by the calabash. The rounded body is hollowed using a long metal tool mounted on a wooden handle, while the upper cylindrical section serves as both lid and drinking cup. A leather seal stitched onto the wood ensures a tight closure.
Decoration varies by region. On the eastern shore of Lake Turkana, where this example originates, akarums are often embellished with red ochre designs applied over a dark surface and adorned with colorful glass beads, reflecting the influence of neighboring Samburu culture.
This graceful akarum displays a beautiful patina of use, along with repairs and marks that testify to its long life and practical function. Both sculptural and functional, it stands as a refined example of Turkana craftsmanship and everyday design.
Highlights
- Akarum milk container, Turkana people
- Eastern shore of Lake Turkana
- 1960s
- Carved from a single block of wood
- Glass bead and ochre decoration
- Beautiful patina with traces of use
- Functional object with strong sculptural presence
Seller's Story
For more than 30 years, I have collected African art with a focus on authenticity, symbolism, and refined craftsmanship.
Graduated as an engineer from École Centrale de Paris, I combine the rigor of my technical background with a lifelong passion for artistic expression and cultural heritage.
Founder of AS’ART (dedicated to contemporary handmade design) and Artifacts Gallery (devoted to ancient tribal art and ethnographic objects), I bring together two worlds: the vitality of today’s artisans and the timeless heritage of Africa’s past.
Every piece I present is chosen for its artistic quality, cultural significance, and emotional power.
Origin: Turkana people
Country: Kenya
Material: Wood, leather, glass beads
Height: 33 cm
Presumed age: 1960s
Provenance: Collected in situ
Sold with a grass bangle for display
As nomadic pastoralists, the Turkana of northern Kenya produce primarily functional objects, designed to be easily transportable and crafted from materials readily available in their harsh, semi-desert environment. While the forms of domestic objects are transmitted through generations, each piece reflects the individuality and skill of its maker.
The akarum is the most elaborate Turkana milk container. Carved by women from a single block of wood, it is likely inspired by the calabash. The rounded body is hollowed using a long metal tool mounted on a wooden handle, while the upper cylindrical section serves as both lid and drinking cup. A leather seal stitched onto the wood ensures a tight closure.
Decoration varies by region. On the eastern shore of Lake Turkana, where this example originates, akarums are often embellished with red ochre designs applied over a dark surface and adorned with colorful glass beads, reflecting the influence of neighboring Samburu culture.
This graceful akarum displays a beautiful patina of use, along with repairs and marks that testify to its long life and practical function. Both sculptural and functional, it stands as a refined example of Turkana craftsmanship and everyday design.
Highlights
- Akarum milk container, Turkana people
- Eastern shore of Lake Turkana
- 1960s
- Carved from a single block of wood
- Glass bead and ochre decoration
- Beautiful patina with traces of use
- Functional object with strong sculptural presence
Seller's Story
For more than 30 years, I have collected African art with a focus on authenticity, symbolism, and refined craftsmanship.
Graduated as an engineer from École Centrale de Paris, I combine the rigor of my technical background with a lifelong passion for artistic expression and cultural heritage.
Founder of AS’ART (dedicated to contemporary handmade design) and Artifacts Gallery (devoted to ancient tribal art and ethnographic objects), I bring together two worlds: the vitality of today’s artisans and the timeless heritage of Africa’s past.
Every piece I present is chosen for its artistic quality, cultural significance, and emotional power.
Details
Country of Origin
Kenya
Period
Mid 20th century
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Milk Container (Akarum), Turkana people, Kenya
Sold by
