Rare Mouse Oracle, Terracotta, Skin, Bark And Basketry, Africa, Early 20th Century Or Earlier

A superb, highly decorative object in a brutalist style. It is, however, a ritual object, known as a Mouse Oracle. A pair of mice, sacred animals believed to communicate with the earthly and underworld realms, were kept inside. By adding grains of cereal and leaving them for a few days, the shaman would return to interpret the omen using the remains left by the mice. The terracotta base is covered at the top with animal skin and at the bottom with bark. The bark is tied with a woven cord, made of the same material as the handles. It is in good overall condition, although there are a few tears in the skin and a missing woven cord, as shown in my detailed photos. Please examine them carefully; I am not hiding anything!
It is African working; I cannot identify the ethnic group, but it dates from the early 20th century or earlier.
Dimensions:
Height 15 cm,
Diameter 15 cm (18 cm with handles)

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