H x W x D: 21.6 x 30.6 x 30.3 cm (8 1/2 x 12 1/16 x 11 15/16 in.)
Type:
Ceramics
Geography:
Makona River region, Liberia
Guinea
Date:
Mid-late 20th century
Label Text:
African potters--primarily women--handbuild a variety of vessels they embellish with beautiful colors, designs and motifs which they then fire at low temperatures. They make containers for daily use such as holding water or cooking food over an open fire. They also make vessels to be used in special ceremonies or that become part of an assemblage of objects placed in a shrine.
Description:
Large dark brown colored ovoid shaped footed bowl with a wide open mouth and scallop edged rim. Just blow the rim and around the middle of the vessel is a series of incised diagonal slashes. Below are semicircular shapes with diagonal slashes and near the bottom are what appear to be unspecified animal figures.
Provenance:
Ambassador and Mrs. Benjamin Hill Brown, Jr., Alexandria, Virginia, before 1971 to 1975
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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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.
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