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Shrine Vessel

A work made of terracotta.

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  • A work made of terracotta.

Date:

1949/50

Artist:

Yoruba
Nigeria
Coastal West Africa

About this artwork

Made from terracotta-colored clay with flecks of quartz, this round vessel was hand built by a female potter in southwestern Nigeria around 1950. The applied decoration encircling the center portion of the jar consists of raised horizontal bands cut with an incised vertical chevron pattern. The bottom border of the decorative middle has an edge that repeats this chevron shape and contributes to the delicate quality of the design. The incised chevrons are broken up by rows of small circles made with a circular punch. The base of the vessel has impressed marks created either with a coiled rope or a basket that was used to support the rounded bottom during the building process. This pot would have been used for everyday domestic cooking and serving.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Yoruba

Title

Shrine Vessel

Place

Nigeria (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.

1949–1950

Medium

Terracotta

Dimensions

Approx: H.: 25.4 cm (10 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of the Cordwell Collection

Reference Number

2007.386

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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