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Catalog Data

Maker:
Kabyle artist  Search this
Medium:
Ceramic
Dimensions:
H x Diam: 4.1 x 29 cm (1 5/8 x 11 7/16 in.)
Type:
Ceramics
Geography:
Algeria
Date:
Mid-20th century
Label Text:
In North Africa, wheel-thrown pottery, which is made by men, dates from the 7th century B.C. when the Phoenicians introduced the potter's wheel to the Algerian coast. Handbuilt pottery, which is made by women, is an older, probably indigenous tradition that dates back 2000 years before the birth of Christ.
To this day, Kabyle women coil and decorate pottery with beautiful, geometric designs for their own household use and for sale. Kabyle women handbuild vessels of various sizes and shapes for holding water, milk and oil, for cooking and eating food and for making oil lamps. This shallow serving bowl was used for couscous. It is low fired hand built clay, decorated with matte pigments and red and yellow glazes.
Description:
Shallow serving bowl for couscous, low fired and hand built clay, decorated with matte pigments or red and yellow glazes.
Provenance:
Patricia Erickson, artisan markets in the Kabylie Mountains region, 1950s
Exhibition History:
African Mosaic: Selections from the Permanent Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2013–August 12, 2019 (installed November 1, 2016–July 9, 2019)
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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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:
Household  Search this
geometric motif  Search this
male  Search this
Credit Line:
Gift of the Elden B. Erickson Collection
Object number:
2010-20-3
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/ys7a3be8981-1da6-4dd7-8b10-b7335ec8fe26
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_2010-20-3