Nigerian Calabash

This is a calabash, or gourd; it is blackened on the outside, and decorated with a carved border. It comes from Nigeria and is included as it was originally collected by a member of Sierra Leone's Krio community, John. G. Taylor. From the mid-nineteenth century, Krio traders, missionaries and professionals settled along the coast of West Africa and in settlements on the Niger River. This Krio diaspora maintained close links with Sierra Leone through steam shipping lines, and objects from throughout the region found their way to Freetown where they were sometimes acquired by European collectors. John G. Taylor was a steam engineer, and a missionary, based in Freetown.

Further Information

• Type: Containers, vessels
• Object: Nigerian Calabash
• Materials: Vegetable, organic fibre
• Culture Group: Other, Krio
• Dimensions: 102 mm x 214 mm
• Production Date: Pre 1909
• Associated Places: Nigeria: Central Nigeria (Collected and created)
• Associated People: John. G. Taylor (Collector); A. Ridyard (Donor)
• Museum: World Museum Liverpool Sierra Leone Collection
• Accession Number: LIVCM.2.9.09.19

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