Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Small Traditional Kwere Medicine Container, Tanzania

$1,302.60
£950
€1,107.96
CA$1,783.70
A$1,983.23
CHF 1,035.53
MX$24,140.75
NOK 13,212.96
SEK 12,379.91
DKK 8,268.95
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

This mid-twentieth century traditional medicine container from the Kwere culture in Tanzania has been finely carved into two sections. The upper section tightly fits the body of the container, and is surmounted by a carved female head depicted with a parted, sweeping coiffure. Both sections of the container have been decorated with bands of fine zig-zag and circular designs, and have been held together with a twisted fibre rope. This container was used to store medicines - which likely consisted of dried roots and other plant materials - by the traditional Kwere healer.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 8.86 in (22.5 cm)Width: 3.15 in (8 cm)Depth: 3.15 in (8 cm)
  • Style:
    Tribal (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Mid-Twentieth Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU8736236379012

More From This Seller

View All
Group of Three Traditional Medicine Containers. Luguru, Tanzania
Located in London, GB
Sold as a collection each of these medicine containers displays their own distinctive characteristics. One of the gourd containers features a carved wooden stopper depicting a male h...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tanzanian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Shell, Natural Fiber, Wood, Beads

Kuba Ceremonial Palm Wine Cup ('Mbwoongntey'), DRC
Located in London, GB
The decorative details adorning this ceremonial cup reflected the owner’s wealth, status and influence within the Kuba Kingdom. This anthropomorphic Kuba cup ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

1940's - 1950's Zulu Milk Pail ('Ithunga'), South Africa
Located in London, GB
This early-twentieth-century tall, narrow vessel, from the Zulu culture in South Africa, would have traditionally served as a milk pail. Known as an 'ithunga', the vessel exhibits ...
Category

Early 20th Century South African Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Hardwood

Fine Traditional Doll. Nyamwezi, Tanzania
Located in London, GB
The body consisting of a gourd in a beautiful form and decorated with a simple contrasting band of old glass beads of white, red and blue. A piece with a wonderful form that was tra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tanzanian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Beads

Large Tanzanian Wagogo Woven Storage Basket With Beautiful Animal Decorations
Located in London, GB
This large, two-sectioned woven cane Wagogo storage basket from Tanzania has been beautifully decorated with depictions of animals around the central band. This is one of the nicest ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Tanzanian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Cane

1930's Beaded Snuff Container. Zulu, Southern Africa
Located in London, GB
This intimately-sized 1930's Zulu snuff container has been beautifully decorated with glass beads. A circular opening features on one side, and on the other side, overlapping blue-an...
Category

Vintage 1930s South African Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood, Beads

You May Also Like

Kuba Lidded Wooden Container – DRC, Early to Mid-20th Century
By Kuba
Located in Bilzen, BE
Kuba Lidded Wooden Container – DRC, Early to Mid-20th Century A finely carved wooden container with lid from the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This authentic piece...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Zulu Tribal Carved Wood Snuff Container, South Africa Finely Carved Incised
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Zulu Tribal carved wood Snuff Container, South Africa A finely carved snuff container with finely carved incised great geometric designs, a great example of the detailed work the Zu...
Category

Early 20th Century South African Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Ethiopian Milk Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
The Borana Oromo people of southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya are historically a cattle-keeping culture, and each household keeps a number of traditional vessels for storing and ch...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ethiopian Tribal Bottles

Materials

Other

Early Carved Wood Tribal Mangbetu Ritual Vessel Pitcher Congo Africa Provenance
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early carved wood tribally used Mangbetu ritual vessel, from the Congo, Africa. Ritual vessel in the form of a wood pitcher with handle, expressive face with scarifications, organic ...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Genuine Snuffbox/container from the Luluwa / Lulua / Bena Lulua tribe Dr Congo
Located in Bilzen, BE
A rare Luluwa / Lulua / Bena Lulua Snuffbox/container, from the first half of the 20th century Tribal aged patina Small piece missing on the rigth foot, see pictures Height 15 cm
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

African Lidded Vessel, Congo
Located in New York, NY
The Shi peoples are agriculturalists living on the shores of Lake Kivu in D.R. Congo. Artistically they are best known for their distinctively carved cups and pitchers...
Category

20th Century Congolese Tribal Art

Materials

Wood