Lidded box in shape of a stylized animal (horse)
Description
wood, brown patina, narrow rectangular receptacle with two round cavities inside, cantilevered rim with incised zigzag decor, slightly vaulted lid, handwritten collection number “17-3026” in white paint on the underside of the lid and inside the box, patina strongly encrusted resp. greasy in some areas, slightly dam., minor missing parts (animal head), abrasion of paint;
containers with horse heads have been interpreted as representations of the mythic arc that descended from heaven to reorganize and populate the world.The ark sent by “amma”, the Creator, was guided by “nommo”, the primordial being who monitors purity and order in the universe. When the ark landed on the earth, “nommo” was transformed initially into a horse that pulled the ark along to water.