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HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
African Pottery : Calabar Terracotta Vessel
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Calabar Terracotta Vessel - CK.0399
Origin: Cross Rivers, Southeastern Nigeria
Circa: 19
th
Century AD
to 20
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
19.5" (49.5cm) high
x 6.25" (15.9cm) wide
Collection: African Art
Medium: Terracotta
$9,600.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
A vessel from a virtually unknown people, this jar is composed of a
bulbous body with a small pedestal end. At the top is a stylized
head. The middle area, or “chest,” has three central raised double
bands like twisted fiber or rope. Old Calabar, situated at the mouth
of the Cross River, was an important trading center and
consequently had considerable contact with Europeans. Such
objects as this one may have served a similar purpose as those of
the Nnim fertility cult of the Ejagham, who are part of the Cross
River group. The elemental, primal quality of this vessel speaks
volumes, though it keeps its original function a secret.
- (CK.0399)
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