Figurative Divination Vessel

Divination traditions of certain tribes involve reading the spirits' impact on sundry items in a divination bowl. This vessel would have been the home for items like horns, shells, dried insects, human teeth, fruits, seeds, and miniature carved figures that were used to read and guide. The carrying case on the figures back would have held each item for safekeeping when not in use. The figure itself represents wisdom, likely a respected elder or tribal ancestor. When needed, the sage would take the objects from this petite sculptural vessel to use in spiritually significant rituals.