Container for Millet Porridge
| Culture | Meru |
|---|---|
| Title | Container for Millet Porridge |
| Date | Mid 20th century |
| Medium | Gourd and aluminum |
| Dimensions | Object: 25 × 12 1/4 in. (63.5 × 31.1 cm) Overall: 25 × 12 1/4 in. (63.5 × 31.1 cm) |
| Credit Line | Museum purchase with funds from the Raymond and Laura Wielgus fund and with generous support from the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University |
| Accession Number | 2014.185 |
| This artwork is currently on view. | |
A gourd container with a wide body and long thin neck and lid. The lid fits into the neck of the container. There are pieces of aluminum used for repairs in several areas of the body.
This container for millet porridge is made from a calabash gourd in two pieces, and is extensively repaired. The lid allowed the gourd to be sealed while the porridge fermented, and could double as a goblet. The aluminum staple repairs on this piece are made from recycled surplus Italian cookware from World War II. Using scarps from European cookware to repair a Meru container highlights the importance of maintaining particular cultural forms and traditions. In addition to holding the calabash together, the repairs to this container also adds aesthetic interest and contrast with the natural material of the gourd.
Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.
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Cite this page
"Container for Millet Porridge | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=2014.185