Mystery Wooden Lid to Milk Container MATTER COLLECTION

Wood lid to a milk jug. Unknown origin.

Hand-carved lid to a wooden milk container. Traditionally used to store and carry fresh milk, the vessels features a fitted lid. Such containers were often smoked inside to help preserve the milk and add flavor.

Carved from a single piece of wood, these functional vessels reflect the pastoral lifestyle and skilled woodworking traditions of East African communities.

Their styles are similar to these found among the other nomadic pastoralists of Uganda, central Africa and Ethiopia, particularly among the Karamajong, and Pokot. All these peoples share cultural traits with the Turkana.

Provenance: Matter Collection

From the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much.