Hidescraper

Hidescraper, Zucano type – Gamo / Ethiopia – Wood, obsidian and resin Details Origin: Ethiopia People: Gamo, or related Ethiopian group Type: Hide scraper / Zucano type Material(s): Wood, obsidian, natural resin Height: 29.5 cm with stand Period: mid-20th century or earlier Provenance: Collected in situ by the present owner Custom metal display stand: included Description A fine Ethiopian hide scraper of Zucano type, composed of a carved wooden handle with an obsidian working element set into a dark resinous mass. Tools of this type were used in Ethiopia for the preparation of hides. The skin, usually cow or goat, was stretched before being worked with a stone blade, most often obsidian. This technique, using stone tools for skin preparation, survived in only a few regions of the world into the 20th century, including parts of Ethiopia. This example is especially appealing for its strong sculptural form and extraordinary surface. The wooden handle has a warm reddish-brown patina, polished by long handling, while the lower working area is covered with a dark, crusty resinous surface. The contrast between the glossy wood, the black accretions and the retained obsidian insert gives the object a powerful visual presence. The form is simple but striking: a tall open handle, carefully shaped for the hand, above a heavier working end where the cutting element is embedded. The object has a strong ethnographic character and clearly shows traces of repeated use. A very attractive Ethiopian hide scraper, appreciated for its rare function, sculptural form, retained obsidian element, rich patina and strong field presence. Condition Good condition overall for an object of this type, with wear, abrasions, old cracks, small losses, resin accretions, surface irregularities and age-related marks consistent with use. The obsidian element is partially preserved. Beautiful old usage patina, crusty in places. Mounted on a custom metal display stand. Please refer to the photographs. Included The hide scraper and its custom metal display stand.

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