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Catalog Data

Maker:
Zande artist  Search this
Medium:
Ceramic, pigment
Dimensions:
H x W: 24.1 x 12.7 cm (9 1/2 x 5 in.)
Type:
Ceramics
Geography:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date:
Late 19th 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 figurative pottery tradition arose in northeastern Congo during the late 19th century when the Zande and Mangbetu produced works for Europeans and Africans. Vessels, such as this example, were black or near black in color with highly burnished surfaces. The deep, incised grooves that appear as concentric circles on the body and as parallel grooves on the neck display Mangbetu influence. The stylized head with protruding, perforated ears, elongated jutting nose with flared nostrils and half-closed eyes in large sockets are reminiscent of Zande stylistic traits. The impressed patterns that appear on the body and neck are found on both Zande and Mangbetu pottery. While both Zande men and women create pottery, only Zande men created figurative pottery, a tradition no longer exists.
Description:
Figurative pottery vessel with linear decorations and a stylized human head for a spout.
Provenance:
Belgian colonial family collection, acquired in Africa, late 19th century
Christian Duponcheel, Belgium, acquired in 1989
Affrica Gallery, Washington, D.C., acquired in 1991
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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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:
Human  Search this
male  Search this
Credit Line:
Museum purchase
Object number:
91-15-1
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/ys74aaccc7f-29bf-4bc9-9a47-5acac3b901e2
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_91-15-1