Bidspirit auction | Guna ”Noga Karpa” Ceremonial Gourd

Guna ”Noga Karpa” Ceremonial Gourd Basket Vessel - A vintage water or beer vessel - a round hollowed-out calabash gourd with a small 2-inch opening at the top, encased within a woven native fiber basket with over-the-top carrying handle.  Three colors of fiber form a design on the basket, and the gourd is carved with geometric designs. From the Guna (Kuna/Cuna) culture; Panama.  Collected by Capt. Kit S. Kapp, circa 1961–1972. About 7” diameter gourd, with 8-9” basket encasement (non-removable).   This piece showcases Guna craftsmanship and ingenuity, with designs to honor the spirit of the vessel and protect the water inside from evil influences (purnas).  Such gourd baskets were also used to store ceremonial inna (maize beer). Provenance:  From the collection of American ethnologist and Central American explorer Captain Kit S. Kapp.