Beaded Calabash
Nsapo-Nsapo People
DR Congo
circa 1900
Calabash, natural fibers, imported glass beads  strung with cotton

H 12.25 inches  31cm   
D 11.5 inches    29cm 

A similar piece (without the added beadwork) is published in  African Furniture and Household Objects, page 204, Roy Sieber, Indiana University Press, 1980
Collected by Fredrick Starr, 1905-06
The intricate basketry design continues even underneath the calabash. The top lid is removable.