Set of two eburi fat containers – Turkana – Kenya – wood, hide and fibre (No reserve price)






Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
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Set of two Turkana eburi fat containers from Kenya, made of wood, hide and fibre, dating to the 1970s, in good condition with provenance collected by the present owner.
Description from the seller
Set of two eburi fat containers – Turkana – Kenya – wood, hide and fibre
Details
Origin: Kenya
People: Turkana
Type: Eburi fat containers
Material(s): Wood, hide / leather, fibre
Dimensions: 21 cm and 18 cm high
Period: 1970s
Provenance: Collected by the present owner
Description
A fine set of two Turkana eburi containers from Kenya, used for the storage of fat.
Among the Turkana, containers of this type belonged to the domestic and personal material culture of pastoral life. They were used to store animal fat, an important substance in daily life, notably for body care, hair treatment and practical household use.
Both examples have a simple cylindrical form, with wooden bodies, hide elements and fibre bindings. Their construction is entirely functional, but visually very appealing, with a strong sense of use and age.
The taller container has a particularly elegant vertical presence, with a warm reddish-brown wooden surface and old hide bands around the lower and upper sections. The second container is slightly broader and more compact, with numerous fibre and leather ties still present, giving it a very lively ethnographic character.
The surfaces show beautiful handling patina, darkened areas, small losses, traces of use and old repairs. These details give the two pieces an honest and expressive presence, characteristic of objects that were used and maintained over time.
A very attractive pair of Turkana eburi fat containers, appreciated for their complementary forms, rich materials, strong usage patina and ethnographic presence.
Condition
Good condition overall for objects of this type, with wear, abrasions, cracks, small losses, surface irregularities and age-related marks consistent with use.
Hide, leather and fibre elements preserved, with wear and fragility in places.
Old repairs and usage patina.
Please refer to the photographs.
Included
The two containers only.
No stand included.
Seller's Story
Set of two eburi fat containers – Turkana – Kenya – wood, hide and fibre
Details
Origin: Kenya
People: Turkana
Type: Eburi fat containers
Material(s): Wood, hide / leather, fibre
Dimensions: 21 cm and 18 cm high
Period: 1970s
Provenance: Collected by the present owner
Description
A fine set of two Turkana eburi containers from Kenya, used for the storage of fat.
Among the Turkana, containers of this type belonged to the domestic and personal material culture of pastoral life. They were used to store animal fat, an important substance in daily life, notably for body care, hair treatment and practical household use.
Both examples have a simple cylindrical form, with wooden bodies, hide elements and fibre bindings. Their construction is entirely functional, but visually very appealing, with a strong sense of use and age.
The taller container has a particularly elegant vertical presence, with a warm reddish-brown wooden surface and old hide bands around the lower and upper sections. The second container is slightly broader and more compact, with numerous fibre and leather ties still present, giving it a very lively ethnographic character.
The surfaces show beautiful handling patina, darkened areas, small losses, traces of use and old repairs. These details give the two pieces an honest and expressive presence, characteristic of objects that were used and maintained over time.
A very attractive pair of Turkana eburi fat containers, appreciated for their complementary forms, rich materials, strong usage patina and ethnographic presence.
Condition
Good condition overall for objects of this type, with wear, abrasions, cracks, small losses, surface irregularities and age-related marks consistent with use.
Hide, leather and fibre elements preserved, with wear and fragility in places.
Old repairs and usage patina.
Please refer to the photographs.
Included
The two containers only.
No stand included.
