The larger traditional medicine container features a beautifully carved stopper, depicting a female figure with her arms raised, holding the underside of her breasts. She has a pair of glass beaded eyes, and her upward-tilting head has been subtly carved. Throughout, the surface of the figurative stopper exhibits a dark, shiny and worn patina.
The slightly smaller of the two gourd containers has an unusual Mwana Hiti styled stopper above two abstracted legs. Bands of zig-zag decorations can be found at the top of the stopper's shaft and below the navel of the figure, with strands of early glass beads adorning the body of the gourd. A single strand of beads appears around the neck of the Mwana Hiti, and throughout, the surface of the figure is worn and smooth as a result of handling.
The carved stopper (shown as mounted) depicts a female figure sitting with her knees together on a small stool. Her arms are raised holding her breasts, and her head is crowned with a sweeping, pronounced hairstyle.
Height of Gourd with Female Figure Stopper: 27.5cm
Height of Gourd with Mwana Hiti Style Stopper: 26cm
Height of Carved Stopper: 18cm
MNM.IEO, BNG.IOO, NHN.EHO
(Click on images to enlarge)
