Vintage Maasai Leather & Beaded Milk Gourd
$550.00
Vintage Maasai Leather & Beaded Milk Gourd — Kenya/Tanzania (Mid–Late 20th Century)
A beautifully aged vintage Maasai milk gourd, traditionally used for carrying and fermenting milk. Wrapped in patinated leather and adorned with hand-applied beadwork in the iconic colours of the Maasai, this sculptural piece brings East African heritage into a contemporary interior with quiet elegance.
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Description
Vintage Maasai Leather & Beaded Milk Gourd — Kenya/Tanzania (Mid–Late 20th Century)
This vintage Maasai milk gourd originates from the pastoral communities of Kenya and northern Tanzania, where gourds such as this were essential daily vessels. Crafted from a natural calabash gourd, the surface has developed a deep, warm patina from decades of handling and use.
The aged leather strap shows authentic wear from generations of cattle herding, while the beaded panels display traditional Maasai motifs in red, white, blue, yellow and green — colours symbolising courage, purity, sky, rain, and the fertility of the land. A cowrie-shell–inspired centrepiece, once a sign of wealth and status, completes the decoration.
This gourd is a striking sculptural form, balancing ethnographic authenticity with contemporary refinement. Ideal for collectors, designers, and stylists seeking meaningful African pieces with real heritage.
CULTURAL NOTES
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Maasai milk gourds were used to store fresh and fermented milk.
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Prior to use, the interior was often cleaned with a burning ember to sterilise the vessel.
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Beadwork patterns were traditionally created by women and carried cultural messages and identity.
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Vintage field-used examples have become increasingly rare due to changing pastoral practices.
FEATURES
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Origin: Kenya / Northern Tanzania
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Tribe: Maasai
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Material: Calabash gourd, leather, glass beads
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Age: Mid–Late 20th Century
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Condition: Beautiful patina and wear consistent with age and traditional use
