This is a rare and important example of Utilitarian container from southern Ethiopia and the Borana (sometimes spelled Boorana or Boran) peoples, who are a major subgroup of the Oromo people, predominantly living in the arid rangelands of southern Ethiopia (Oromia Region) and northern Kenya.
 
The vessel is carved wood and adorned with cowrie shells and strips of animal hide.
 
Provenance: Ex Roy Sieber collection, Indiana.
 
**Published in "African Furniture and Household Objects" pg. 171. 
Exhibited: “African Furniture and Household Objects” Indianapolis, USA: Indianapolis Museum of Art, April 9-May 25, 1980;
Kansas City, USA: Nelson Gallery—Atkins Museum, July 3-August 3, 1980;
San Francisco, USA: The Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco-M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, September 21-November 9, 1980;
Memphis, USA: Brooks Memorial Art Gallery, March 1-April 19, 1981;
New York, USA: The Brooklyn Museum, June 20-September 7, 1981.
 
The vessel measures 15 inches tall and will include a display stand.