Container

Item number 3512/33 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Ostrich egg water holder with a hole drilled into the top. Incised geometric and animal motifs throughout; incisions are filled in black. Wide border, with an arrow motif through the centre, circles top of egg. On the front and back, extending from the border to the base, are curved horn-like designs; the horns are made up of wavy lines. In between the horns are a line of connected concentric diamonds. Antelope designs are on the left and right sides; both are standing straight and depicted in profile. Base is undecorated.

History Of Use

After drilling a small hole in an ostrich shell, Khoisan would eat the raw egg, and then keep the shell for use as a water container. After filling the shell with water, the hole would be filled with a plant stem. The containers could then be buried for future use, e.g., while hunting or moving to seasonal camps. If leather straps were attached, they could be carried on belts. Markings were used to show ownership.