Figurally carved container

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Description

wood, partly oily blackish brown patina, remains of pigments, remains of a white substance inside the receptacle, min. dam., small missing parts, slight traces of abrasion;
probably used for storing unguents, like palm oil or karité butter. Such ointment in recent times has been used cosmetically, but formerly was also used for magic. The application was believed to protect against hidden dangers and malevolence.

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Comparing literature

Förster, Till, Die Kunst der Senufo aus Schweizer Sammlungen, Zürich 1988, p. 114, ill. 112

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