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Catalog Data

Maker:
Chewa artist  Search this
Medium:
Ceramic, resin
Dimensions:
W x D: 63.5 x 63.5 cm (25 x 25 in.)
Type:
Ceramics
Geography:
Lilongwe region, Malawi
Date:
ca. 1985
Label Text:
This large ovoid vessel was handbuilt by a Chewa woman potter and fired at a low temperature. She decorated it by splashing a vegetable decoction on the body immediately after firing, resulting in an aesthetically vibrant surface. The dark spots on the surface are caused by a reduced oxygen atmosphere in the kiln during firing. Although created accidentally, they add to the pot's aesthetic effectiveness.
These vessels are typical of pottery forms found throughout Africa that function as containers for foodstuffs. Chewa women keep vessels of this type near the cooking area. They use them to store locally brewed maize beer, kuchasu, which is consumed before traditional ceremonies of the Gule Wamkulu (Great Dance) performed at funerals and initiations.
Description:
Ovoid shaped vessel with rim made of fired clay. Cream colored, brownish colored pigment applied vertically top to bottom around the entire pot.
Provenance:
Laurel Birch de Aguilar [Faulkner], collected in Lilongwe, Malawi, ca. 1985-1986
Affrica Gallery, Washington, D.C., 1986 to 1987
Published References:
Mellor, S. 2007. From Delicious to Not Quite Right: Subtleties in Discerning the Authenticity of African Art. Objects Specialty Group Postprints, Volume 14 CD. Washington, DC: American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. p.13.
National Museum of African Art. 1999. Selected Works from the Collection of the National Museum of African Art. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, p. 172, no. 127.
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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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:
male  Search this
Credit Line:
Museum purchase
Object number:
87-2-1
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/ys7fe25a55e-6f1a-4ec4-9b61-59f3b3cd8979
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_87-2-1