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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;2manybooks, post: 11186150, member: 8267&quot;]I can suggest several strategies for further research.</p><p><br /></p><p>Given the full image, it is possible to do an image search using google lens. Several similar figures turn up in auction, gallery, and ebay listings, with similar attributions to Tanzania. While these may provide some clues for further research, I would not rely on them for the most accurate information. Misinformation is often copied on the internet.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Museum&#039;s catalog number for this object, 2021.005.030, indicates that it is a fairly recent acquisition (2021). Is there a chance you can contact the donor (Nicely) to see if they have additional information about a particular tribal association, or when/where it was acquired that was not recorded previously?</p><p><br /></p><p>Many museums have databases of at least some of their collections available online, which makes it possible to do detailed searches for similar objects. So far, I have not found a specific name for such objects but &quot;Tanzania&quot;, &quot;Nyamwezi&quot;, &quot;Sukuma&quot;, &quot;gourd/calabash&quot;, &quot;divination&quot;, and &quot;medicine&quot; may be useful search terms. Look for major Anthropology museums. The goal would be to find a close comparison with detailed collection information, which would help confirm the identification.</p><p><br /></p><p>So far, I do not have reason to doubt the suggested Tanzanian origin but, despite the number of similar objects that turned up in a google image search, I have not found any examples in a preliminary search of some museum databases (British Museum, Pit Rivers, Smithsonian, Peabody). This may mean that such objects are only now coming out of the cultures of origin. This sometimes happens when tribal groups are under pressure to convert (in this case either to Islam or Christianity), and objects associated with traditional practices are discarded. </p><p><br /></p><p>You will also need to search the published literature on the ethnology of East Africa, focusing on material culture and religious/divination practices. Your thesis advisor should be able to help guide you in conducting an effective literature search.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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