Vessel

Description

Pottery holds an important place in life across Cameroon. Throughout the mountains and grasslands of the country, large storage containers and smaller serving vessels are employed in the ritualized tradition of making and pouring beer and palm wine. This vessel has generous proportions, with a wide, flared lip and delicate incised details on its bottom sections. The vessel was most likely used to hold liquids in order to keep them cool before serving. The bottom portion of the vessel has an even, roulette-impressed pattern, and the middle section is defined by a subtle design of angled lines separated into three rows, over which additive elements are arranged. The angularity and tack-like additions on this middle section add an element of dynamism to the vessel’s relative simplicity.

Provenance

Albert F. Gordon, Tribal Arts Gallery, New York, N.Y., by 1979; sold to the Art Institute, 1979.

Vessel

Bamileke

Mid–20th century

Accession Number

58438

Medium

Ceramic

Dimensions

38 × 40 cm (15 × 15 3/4 in.)

Classification

earthenware

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Purchased with funds provided by Mrs. Joanne Nagel Shaw