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Altar Vessel

A work made of terracotta and sacrificial material.

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  • A work made of terracotta and sacrificial material.

Date:

Early/mid–20th century

Artist:

Gur-speaking peoples, possibly Lobi
Burkina Faso
Northern Africa and the Sahel

About this artwork

Across the Gur-speaking region, individuals and families establish altars to honor and commune with influential spirits. Making altar vessels is the work of highly accomplished potters. The spikes on these vessels reflect a practice that is found across West Africa. Among the Lobi, such spikes symbolize fertility, fecundity, and protection. On this vessel, a small ladle sits atop the lid, presumably for pouring substances in or out of the vessel. [See also 1998.520].

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Gur

Title

Altar Vessel

Place

Burkina Faso (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Made 1900–1950

Medium

Terracotta and sacrificial material

Dimensions

33 × 26.7 cm (13 × 10 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Keith Achepohl

Reference Number

2005.235

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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