Wood Vessel

[bradyboy]

I have this ruby red wood vessel that's been passed down to me
8" tall, width 4.5", base is 2.75 w
the top lifts as a shot glass of sorts
Very curious about the wood carving, almost looks Indian
the wood is extremely thin, both the cup and the vessel itself
cant imagine how Could could turn / carve this thing so thin
any idea?
age?
origin of the wood carving?
Brady

 

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[Noodle]

Curious. I have some knick-knacks that my aunt bought in Mexico and Cuba back in the mid-1900s (before Castro) that remind me of that. Very small and beautiful carvings/paintings on them. No idea what they were used for, if anything. Good luck.

 

[bradyboy]

Thanks noodle
This is wood and all images are carved
Brady

 

[Noodle]

I understand. Do you have any history on the item? Remote? The carvings are definitely done by hand; you can see the individuality of the carving marks.

 

[trikikiwi]

I suspect the central, main body of your item, is a carved gourd. With wooden attachments.
Carved gourds are common in various cultures.
Mike

 

[bradyboy]

Im surprised no one can help me on this
Is this that much of a mystery?
I hardley ever post a what is it, thought yall could solve this
Brady

 

[bradyboy]

no clue where iyt came from
But the carving looks american indian.
I agree about the wood, its a very ruby red color
its the markings that I find very interesting
To my knowledge, its been in the family more than 50 yrs or more
A very rich Aunt passed it down
Brady

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I brought back some beautiful hand carved tropical wood bowls and cups from Haiti in the 70's. I am not familiar with American Indian wood carvings only ancient Florida Indian. The Florida Indians soaked Florida Mahoghany wood in animal fats to try and preserve them. It looks 20th century and tropical but I am just guessing. Maybe Iding the wood will help such as Rosewood, Mahoghany, Teakwood etc. You are doing the right thing trying to ID.

Will the container hold fluid? Is it functional? Could it be a gourd?

I suspect some cups are missing from the set (if it is a set).

 

[IronSpike]

The wood grain looks like mahogany.

 

[bradyboy]

The cup sits on top of the vessel
it was carved to perfectly match the top as a cover and to drink from
Never used.
I'm sure its a trade pc but its the carving that has me baffled
I know I've seen similar carvings somewhere but can place
I stuck on American Indian,
Not a gourd, this thing is perfectly turned
Brady

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Not a gourd, this thing is perfectly turned
Brady

perfectly turned? like on a lathe?

Because its in perfect condition, not a gourd, perfectly turned, with hand carvings, from tropical wood, I am going to guess its a souvenir from Africa, Haiti or some other Carribean country.

Sorry Brady. I dont have an American Indian feel for this unless its a modern Indian souvenir tourist thing. You may try posting in the American Indian Artifact section or in modern reproduction to see if Im right. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/board,509.0.html

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Its very pretty. Is that a hole in the spot?

 

[randazzo1]

The geometric designs make me think it's not a island piece - I have nothing to back that up and I realize its a broad generalization - but caribbean just doesn't feel right. I like the idea of native american - maybe southwest native American. Geometric patterns are certainly prevalent in culutural items from that area. Perhaps its a reservation piece?

I agree with you that its not a gourd.

I see that its red - can you tell if its painted or just stained - and if it is painted - does it seem hard like a laquer or softer like a latex paint. Also - how thick are the walls of the vessel. The cap is clealry very thin. If the body is also that thin, and its lacquered, then it might have been assembled from multiple pieces with seams hidden by the laquer.

Whatever it is - it does have a certain charm to it - looks like something that belongs on a shelf behind an older professor amongst her books.

 

[randazzo1]

My coworker say's chinese, 1920's based on color and designs. Don't know what that's worth but thought I'd pass it along. She's a collector of chinese art.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Is that a hole in the neck?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

My coworker say's chinese, 1920's based on color and designs. Don't know what that's worth but thought I'd pass it along. She's a collector of chinese art.

Can you ask her what kind of wood it is?

This looks more like a red tropical hardwood like Mahoghany. I would think Chinese would use teakwood. But I am just guessing. I would love to learn more.

 

[bradyboy]

yes theres a hole in the neck due to bugs
Brady

 

[Charmin]

The cup sits on top of the vessel
it was carved to perfectly match the top as a cover and to drink from
Never used.
I'm sure its a trade pc but its the carving that has me baffled
I know I've seen similar carvings somewhere but can place
I stuck on American Indian,
Not a gourd, this thing is perfectly turned
Brady

Brady--I think your piece is called a "tumble up".
Here's a Hopi Indian made tumble up on eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-HANDMAD...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item413b729e42 .
See if its similar to yours.

sandcreek

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The design does look American Indian and if its a tumble-up but what kind of wood would it be?

 

[bradyboy]

what would the definition be of a tumble - up
the wood on this is nearly paper thin
the wood turned cup sits perfectly on top, and I mean perfect
Navajo?, due to the carving?
Theres no paint anywhere
Brady