Vessel

Description

This type of spherical pot with a short neck and linear ornamentation functioned as a symbol of rank for titled men in the hierarchical Igbo society. During ceremonies where titles were conferred, it would be used to serve palm wine to titleholders and other honored guests. This vessel’s surface decoration is unusually dynamic due to the textural contrasts between vertical and horizontal lines, and between smoothly burnished and bumpy incised areas.

Provenance

Willy Okwerekwu, Calif., by 2000; sold to Douglas Dawson Gallery, Chicago, Ill., 2000; given to Keith Achepohl, 2000; given to the Art Institute, 2005.

Vessel

Igbo

Mid–20th century

Accession Number

185699

Medium

Terracotta

Dimensions

39.4 × 40.6 cm (15 1/2 × 16 in.)

Classification

vessel

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Keith Achepohl