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Water Container (Jidaga)

A work made of blackened terracotta.

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  • A work made of blackened terracotta.

Date:

Early/mid–20th century

Artist:

Bamana
Mali
Northern Africa and the Sahel

About this artwork

Bamana tradition dictates that only the wives and daughters of blacksmiths have the right to make pots. Water containers, which are prominently displayed in a family compound, are among the most decorative and individualized of their wares. The potter begins by forming the vessel’s base over a convex mold. Coils are then added to complete the walls and lip. Raised embellishment, like that seen on this water container, is no longer common. Here a series of abstract lizards stretches across the vessel’s entire expanse.

Status

On View, Gallery 137

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Bamana

Title

Water Container (Jidaga)

Place

Mali (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

Blackened terracotta

Dimensions

48.9 × 42.6 cm (19 1/4 × 16 3/4 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Keith Achepohl

Reference Number

2005.225

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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