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Start Over Donor Bruce Max Feldman Function 1.8 Toilet Articles
Hearst Museum object titled Carved wooden object, accession number 5-15148, described as Henna holder, pyroengraved gourd. Central band has 2 large insects, 1 with 8 pairs of legs, 1 with 10 pairs. Between insects are X-shaped designs with crossbars. Linear design bands at each end. Length 38 centimeters. From Niger, Lake Chad area, N'guigmi Market. Context of use: Container for henna leaves made into paste used to dye palms and fingernails red (to dye feet they used henna paste covered with plastic wrap). A Kanouri woman would put her whole arm inside the gourd to dye palms and fingernails.
Hearst Museum object titled Metal folding knife, accession number 5-15168, described as Razor/ear cleaner, white metal. Incised geometric designs. Length of handle 14 centimeters. From Niger, vicinity of Lake Chad, N'guigmi Market. Used by men to shave facial hair and heads. Razor type is "straight razor." Mens' heads were shaved.

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