Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Maker:
Kabyle artist  Search this
Medium:
Ceramic, slip
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 34 x 25.2 x 25.2 cm (13 3/8 x 9 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.)
Type:
Ceramics
Geography:
Kabylie, Algeria
Date:
Early-late 20th century
Label Text:
The inhabitants of the mountainous Kabyle region along the Mediterranean coast in northeastern Algeria are farmers primarily. They are also superb artists noted for their jewelry, textiles, mats, basketry, pottery and house murals.
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.
Description:
This vessel has a large ovoid shape. Its body colors alternate in registers between red and neutral. Two handles placed at right angles are on either side of the vessel. A zigzag motif in black outline appears in the middle register on neutral ground.
Provenance:
Collected Tiziouzou, Kabylie, Algeria, 1971-1973
Allen C. Davis, Alexandria, VA, 1971-1973 to 1999
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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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:
Gift of Allen Clayton Davis
Object number:
99-23-5
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/ys73f2be861-e5f2-405b-b4f3-214f733576fd
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_99-23-5