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HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
African Pottery : Cross Rivers Terracotta Anthropomorphic Vessel
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Cross Rivers Terracotta Anthropomorphic Vessel - PF.5470
Origin: Calabar, Nigeria
Circa: 10
th
Century AD
to 11
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
18" (45.7cm) high
x 12.5" (31.8cm) wide
Collection: African
Medium: Terracotta
Location: United States
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| Description |
The great, bulbous body has a pedestalled end
containing a bored hole in the center; a design
that makes it easy to wedge into the ground. At
the top of the vessel is an abstract head with a
“crown” of thick bands arching from around the
head to under the neck, simulating braided hair.
The elongated face comes to a point nearly
touching the lower portion of the neck. Thick
striated curved bands serve both as handles and
as arms of the figure with small hands. On the
“chest” are three rows of double bands
connected by four segments of double bands in
an oval shape placed horizontally down the
center. The vessel may have been used for a
fertility cult, or perhaps as a burial offering.
Simple in form, yet very powerful in effect, this
vessel is a unique example of artistry that
flourished in ancient Nigeria.
- (PF.5470)
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