Vessel

Container

An elongated ipu (vessel) with the upper portion cut off. The gourd is undecorated and cracked down one side. There are four perforations near the top.

To create a gourd vessel, gourds were carefully prepared through controlled decay to remove the pulp, leaving a durable shell pierced only at the stem and smoothed inside with coral or pumice. These vessels were fashioned into functional forms such as water bottles, funnels, bowls, and strainers, often fitted with nets or cords for suspension and transport.