This poised vessel is supported by four horn-like legs that curve outwards, downward, and inwards. A visual ‘conceit,’ or skeumorph, the vessel reflects design cues from pottery rather than the carved wood from which it is made. This is an idiosyncrasy seen in a number of other wood-carved objects from the southern African region.

The elevated nature of the vessel, the horn-like legs, and the concentric circle design at the base of the bowl are an uncommon combination and may indicate a special ceremonial purpose for the object. The circle design punctuating the lowest point of the bowl occurs on divining dice (hakata) from the northern regions of South Africa and Zimbabwe, particularly amongst Venda and Shona speakers. These are part of a symbolic language that centers around a pool of water, its mystical status as the place where all life originated and of powerful crocodile and python totemic beings. The descending triangular design on the sides of the bowl is reminiscent of a broad aesthetic frequently seen decorating ceramics pottery and wood-carved objects from the north-central parts of southern Africa and Botswana. The reddish brown and black external coloring also indicates a possible origin in the wide Sotho-speaking cultural domain.

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