Featured Gourd Decorated with 5 Groups of Feathers, Signed

I stumbled on this while looking for something else, as so often happens. No recollection where or when I acquired it...but looking at it an' noticing its repaired condition, I'm sure I was immediately intrigued...an' grabbed it straightaway!
I have not the slightest skills in NA art...so cannot begin to adequately describe this piece, save for some basics: ~7 3/4" high, ~8" diameter, ~3" mouth, ~4 oz; it shows evidence of weather an' neglect inside & out.
The signature(s) are plain enough, but beyond what can be seen I'm at a loss where to seek illumination; I'm assuming Janiceo did the work, and Gray Wolf indicates a tribe, or a sub-group or location.

That's why I'm here...in sincere hope of hearing from anyone with a better understanding of this gourd, an' the significance of its graphics.
Thanks for looking'!

 

I don’t know anything useful but that is very cool item. Will be interesting to learn more..

 

Ditto.

Debora

 

The sort of moldy appearance is what gourds look like when they have come from the field and air dried, but before they have been cleaned. The first step in most gourd art is to soak and scrub the gourd to remove such discoloration. I suspect in this case the gourd was left in a more "natural" state to make it look older, or the artist(s) just liked the effect.

 

Is there any SAFE way to even THINK about cleaning any of SOME of that surface mold off, or better left UNTOUCHED???? I understand most things should be left alone, but those feathers are hiding SO MUCH BEAUTY!!!

 

Yup...plenty o' beauty to be seen if y'can get under the scum.

Given that the neck has damage, an' that we don't know a thing about its origin...it's just a repaired, dirty gourd.

I have no expertise in cleaning organic surfaces, but how much damage could a warm water sponge wipe-down do?

I could start on the base, around the signatures...consider results...then work up one set of feathers...let it dry an' see what it looks like.

Can I get a motion, an' a second?
All in favor? Any opposed?

 

I rather like it the way it is. That clean stripe near the top of the neck, with the smudged areas above and below, would seem to indicate that the "dirty" effect was chosen by the artist.

 

Any (jewelry) is opposed. If the spots etc are a result of old mould, and the condition is stable, which it seems to be, I would leave it as it is.
It is a lovely piece.

 

I'm with her. Any attempt to clean will only hurt its overall integrity.

Debora

 

So far the Nays have it...an' full disclosure demands that I include myself in that company, as much for the fundamental correctness of their counsel as for the sloth that compels procrastination. To do it right, even at the minor level I've suggested, will take preparation, patience an' an extra dose of care due to my unfamiliarity with gourds an' their needs & fragility. I truly wasn't looking forward to the task.