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Vessel for Serving Beer (Ukhamba)

A work made of blackened terracotta.

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  • A work made of blackened terracotta.

Date:

Mid–20th century

Artist:

Zulu
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Eastern and Southern Africa

About this artwork

Zulu potters use a variety of patterns to ornament beer vessels, the textures of which stand in strong contrast to the pots’ highly burnished surfaces. Patterns often run in chains around the shoulders of a pot or take the form of large shapes placed in a pleasingly off-balance manner. The technique of applying raised welts—called amasumpa or “warts”—to fill in patterns is among the oldest forms of Zulu pottery decoration. Here amasumpa are used to define a chain of triangles. On the large serving vessel on the adjacent platform, larger welts are used to render a doublehooked motif.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Northern Nguni

Title

Vessel for Serving Beer (Ukhamba)

Place

South Africa (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 1925–1975

Medium

Blackened terracotta

Dimensions

27.3 × 26.7 cm (10 3/4 × 10 1/2 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Keith Achepohl

Reference Number

2005.260

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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