Tall Wooden Milk Container (Inkongoro), Tutsi people, Rwanda - Rwanda (No reserve price)
03
days
00
hours
26
minutes
26
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 160 - € 200
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 123113 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Tall Wooden Milk Container (Inkongoro) by the Tutsi people, Rwanda, mid-20th century, provenance collected in situ by the owner.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Milk Container (Inkongoro)
Origin: Tutsi people
Country: Rwanda
Material: Wood
Height: 39 cm
Presumed age: Mid-20th century
Provenance: Collected in situ by the owner
The Tutsi are traditionally a pastoral people for whom milk has long played a central role in daily life and ritual practices. Fermented milk, known as kivuguto, was prepared and stored in finely carved wooden containers.
This type of vessel, known as an inkongoro, is distinguished by its tall, slender, and elegant silhouette. Such containers were essential household objects, carefully maintained and repaired when necessary, reflecting both their practical importance and their aesthetic value.
This example displays a beautiful, deep patina of use, acquired over decades of handling. Several vernacular metal repairs testify to its long life and continued use, adding to its character and authenticity. Perfectly balanced and visually refined, this inkongoro embodies the understated elegance of Tutsi utilitarian craftsmanship.
Both functional and sculptural, it resonates strongly with modern design sensibilities while remaining firmly rooted in its cultural context.
Highlights
- Inkongoro milk container
- Tutsi people, Rwanda
- Mid-20th century
- Tall, slender, elegant proportions
- Beautiful aged patina
- Vernacular metal repairs
- Collected in situ
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.
Milk Container (Inkongoro)
Origin: Tutsi people
Country: Rwanda
Material: Wood
Height: 39 cm
Presumed age: Mid-20th century
Provenance: Collected in situ by the owner
The Tutsi are traditionally a pastoral people for whom milk has long played a central role in daily life and ritual practices. Fermented milk, known as kivuguto, was prepared and stored in finely carved wooden containers.
This type of vessel, known as an inkongoro, is distinguished by its tall, slender, and elegant silhouette. Such containers were essential household objects, carefully maintained and repaired when necessary, reflecting both their practical importance and their aesthetic value.
This example displays a beautiful, deep patina of use, acquired over decades of handling. Several vernacular metal repairs testify to its long life and continued use, adding to its character and authenticity. Perfectly balanced and visually refined, this inkongoro embodies the understated elegance of Tutsi utilitarian craftsmanship.
Both functional and sculptural, it resonates strongly with modern design sensibilities while remaining firmly rooted in its cultural context.
Highlights
- Inkongoro milk container
- Tutsi people, Rwanda
- Mid-20th century
- Tall, slender, elegant proportions
- Beautiful aged patina
- Vernacular metal repairs
- Collected in situ
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
Rwanda
Period
Mid 20th century
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Tall Wooden Milk Container (Inkongoro), Tutsi people, Rwanda
Sold by
