Unidentified

Two-handled Storage Jar

circa late 18th-20th century

Category
Culture
Somono Peoples or Bozo Peoples
Place Made
Mali
Materials
Terracotta, slip, kaolin
Measurements
20 x 20 x 20 in (50.8 x 50.8 x 50.8 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Tom Alexander in honor of Robert Gordy
Accession #
97.831
Description

Somono women potters are generally members of blacksmith families, inheriting pottery-making as their birthright. The pottter begins by placing a shallow saucer filled with sand on an oiled clay surface.

The saucer form acts as a turn table while the potter builds up the walls of the pot with clay coils. During the leather-hard stage of the clay - the foot, handles, and decorative lugs are added to the vessel. The pot is then decorated with incised and impressed geometric designs. The detailing of this storage jar is highlighted by an applied coating of white kaolin which is worked into the surface of the vessel.