Shrine Vessel

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.