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Container for Water or Beer (Inongo)

A work made of terracotta and pigment.

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  • A work made of terracotta and pigment.

Date:

Mid–/late 20th century

Artist:

Gwembe Tonga
Zambia
Eastern and Southern Africa

About this artwork

The Gwembe Tonga live to the east of the Shona and share with them similar pottery techniques. Particularly gifted Gwembe Tonga potters are specialists who attribute their talents to selection by an equally skilled ancestor. Like many in Africa, they focus attention on making water containers, which must be thin walled and symmetrical if they are to be borne atop the head while filled with several gallons of water. Because it is among the most public of pots, a water or beer container’s appearance is closely scrutinized. This vessel is embellished with bold zigzag bands. The design was rendered with quick lines that skip rhythmically along the clay, emphasizing its muscular proportions.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Gwembe Tonga

Title

Container for Water or Beer (Inongo)

Place

Zambia (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 1950–1999

Medium

Terracotta and pigment

Dimensions

39.4 × 41.3 cm (15 1/2 × 16 1/4 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Keith Achepohl

Reference Number

2005.258

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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