Maasai Beaded Gourd Ornament / Flask, 4" Tall

While many similar pieces are described online as beaded gourd ornaments from the Maasai nomadic people, this one comes with a plug in the top as if designed to be used as a small flask. 
 
It is decorated in glass beads of blue, green, white and red, strung on wire and wrapped around the gourd to make it easy to carry or attach to something with a light green section serving as a handle. In the front there is a floral like embellishment on one side. In the back, a white strand is strung through the plug.
 
We believe this was purchased by our mother in Tanzania in the late 1960s. It is in excellent vintage condition, that is, if the plug in the top was never meant to be removed. It is stuck in there firmly. We did not want to do damage to the piece by forcing it open.
 
We recommend this for decoration purposes only. 
 
Approx. H 4” x D 2 3/4” 
1.31 oz (36g)
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.