Ostrich Egg

NameOstrich Egg

CulturePossibly Maasai

Dateca. 1950s

Place collectedTanzania, Formerly Tanganyika, Africa

MediumOstritch egg, glass beeds, metal

Dimensionsoverall: 18 CM L X 14 CM W

Credit LineGift of Mrs. David Higham

Object numberA.1962.21.11

DescriptionOstritch egg with hole at top, Glass beads, strung on wires, red and blue strands form basket or hanger, with pair of strands of larger, tubular black and yellow beads. Rusted tin discs form tassels, bottom and around middle.

In file, a note by the donor indicates it is a "house-post fetish; [many] Maasai people of Tanganyika have one egg more or less decorated like this hanging in front of their huts."