Decorative Gourd with Beads

Ira Blount · late 20th-early 21st Century

Glass and metal beads adorn the rim of this decorative, spherical gourd crafted by Ira Blount, a DC-based artist and craftsman. The pattern of the beads echoes the etched design below, with both featuring triangular shapes intersected by a line. The triangular motif highlights the different textures and media while unifying the object’s multiple elements. Though many different cultures have used plain and embellished gourds for utilitarian and aesthetic purposes—transforming the plant into dippers, bowls, rattles, and even musical instruments—this ornamental piece also served a practical function for the artist who found purpose and joy in crafting.