Wooden Milk Vessel - Ganda & Hima Peoples, Uganda (b)

I suppose it's obvious that these are one of our favorite shapes/forms of utilitarian African art. We have a few, and bought many of these beautiful pieces!

These elegantly-shaped milk containers are carved from the wood of the Omusisa tree. They are ornamented with grooves cut on the lower section of the neck and are topped with conical-shaped basketry covers.
Only men were allowed to milk the cows, and the womans role was to clean the containers. The containers were held over a fire made of cow dung and sweet smelling grass. The milk would absorb the smoky flavor from the vessel and would not be considered fit to drink without it.

Dimensions: 8 1/2"H x 8" Diameter