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Description

Grey-brown pot with an oval-shaped body, topped with a human-like head; spout opening doubles as mouth of figure. Face has a pronounced brow, incised circular eyes, a wide nose with large nostrils, and semi-circular ears; mouth opening is flared. Two raised bands decorate head, extending from brow to back of neck, and connect with a notched band that circles the figure's neck. Four panels, consisting of four notched bands, stretch from neck towards bottom of body. Long arms. with thin fingers, extend from neck, down front centre of body; designs are raised. Large panel runs down centre of chest, consisting of three lines with two columns of raised circles. Raised nipples are on either side of front panel; genitals underneath panel. Two curved bands connect side panels on back and arms; bands are notched. The rest of vessel is undecorated.

Narrative

Collected by the donor in 2020 in the village of Giri (Bida Valley). They were previously owned by Mr. Obangsi Otuli Kenneth, a retired ceramics teacher living in the Benue Region.

Specific Techniques

Constructed using hand-coiling and pinching techniques, then fired in an open kiln. After cooling, each pot is naturally stained with burnt ochre colour.

History Of Use

Traditionally used to store water. Buried halfway into the ground, the vessel keeps water cool. Nupe women are considered to be among the best potters in Africa. Most of their pottery types have remained fairly static for around 250 years and were probably introduced after their conversion to Islam. The vessels almost always feature lovely incised decoration, though others do have anthropomorphic features.