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Catalog Data

Maker:
Kongo artist  Search this
Medium:
Ceramic, resin
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 23.4 x 16.9 x 16.6 cm (9 3/16 x 6 5/8 x 6 9/16 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.
The vessel's long neck, sloping shoulders and body were clearly articulated by the potter who emphasized the strong, clean-cut outline of the body's shape. The small, dark spatter rings were probably created when a mixture concocted from tree bark or leaves was applied directly after firing. The bottle's flat base indicates it was probably meant to sit on a level surface. The vessel may have been a water container.
Description:
Bottle with an ovoid body, sloping shoulders and a long narrow neck that has a yellow cast and is covered with dark splotches.
Provenance:
Walshaert collection, Antwerp, 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. 294, no.2.
Sieber, Roy. 1997. Purpose and Perfection: Pottery as a Woman's Art in Central Africa. Exhibition booklet. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution.
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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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:
Purchased with funds provided by the Smithsonian Collections Acquisition Program
Object number:
89-13-30
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/ys78da5b7ba-0245-4e5a-a93c-23f45e162852
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_89-13-30