H x W x D: 22.7 x 23.5 x 23.3 cm (8 15/16 x 9 1/4 x 9 3/16 in.)
Type:
Ceramics
Geography:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date:
Early 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.
This globular-shaped vessel is similar to others of its type. The designs on the surface are similar to those found on other Kongo objects.
Description:
Buff colored globular shaped vessel with a short neck. The upper half has a series of incised parallel grooves that frame stippled zigzag and rectangular shaped designs.
Provenance:
R. L. Wannyn collection, Belgium, before 1930
Exhibition History:
Purpose and Perfection: Pottery as a Woman's Art in Central Africa, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 15, 1992-June 15, 1997
Published References:
Hexter, M. and W.R. Hopwood. 1992. Investigation of Decorative Coatings on Kongo Ceramics Using UV Light and FTIR Analysis. Materials Issues in Art and Archaeology III. Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings. 267: p. 303, no.5.
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