Container c. mid 20th century

This "Container" is a mid-20th-century example of traditional African art. It is likely from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is made of wood and cowrie shells. The container's cylindrical body is decorated with a woven band of straw and a layer of cowrie shells. These shells were used as currency and were often incorporated into decorative objects. The container is currently located in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The artist is unknown.