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Catalog Data

Maker:
Nupe artist  Search this
Medium:
Ceramic
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 40 x 35.1 x 35.1 cm (15 3/4 x 13 13/16 x 13 13/16 in.)
Type:
Ceramics
Geography:
Nigeria
Date:
Early to mid-20th century
Label Text:
African potters--primarily women--handbuild a variety of vessels that they embellish with beautiful colors, designs and motifs before firing them at low temperatures. Containers made for daily use hold water or serve as cooking utensils. They also make vessels to be used in special ceremonies or that become part of an assemblage of objects placed in a shrine.
The surface and inside rim of this jar are covered with a rich array of abstract designs. The deep, dark earthen color shows wear and evidence of handling. The flared rim and narrow neck indicate the vessel probably to held water.
Description:
Vessel with an ovoid body, short, wide neck and flared rim. Inside the rim are perforations resembling three triangles and three rectangles. On the pot itself, there are three registers of decorations. All the bands are marked with perforations. The top register is bound by two coils of clay at the bottom of the neck and three coils of clay around the middle. This register is subdivided into four or five sections with circular and triangular shaped motifs alternating with one another. The middle register is bound by three coils of clay at the top and six at the bottom. This register is divided into eight sections and each section has triangular shaped motifs.The bottom register has Y shaped motifs marked by perforations.
Provenance:
Rolin or Huguein, Paris, -- to ca. late 1970s
Colette Ghysels, Brussels, ca. late 1970s to 2000
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Topic:
geometric motif  Search this
male  Search this
Credit Line:
Museum purchase
Object number:
2000-12-1
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source:
National Museum of African Art
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7e0954c87-4106-4fa0-8939-260fe972081c
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_2000-12-1