Accession Number2000/2.111
TitleVessel
Artist(s)YorubaArtist NationalityYoruba (culture or style)Object Creation Datecirca 1890-1920Medium & SupportterracottaDimensions 11 9/16 in x 8 7/8 in x 9 1/8 in (29.37 cm x 22.54 cm x 23.18 cm)
Credit LineGift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
Subject matterThis clay Yoruba vessel could refer to various
orisas (gods), but it is not clear which
orisa it may be. There is a possibility this object may be a shrine to the
orisa Osun, the goddess of the river by the same name. During the festival for Osun, vessels (perhaps like this one) were filled with the river water, believed to have medicinal qualities. It is also possible that this vessel may represent Eshu (also called Eshu-Elegba or Eshu-Elegbara), the trickster
orisa and messenger to other gods. As clay was one of the
orisa's most important symbols, this clay vessel may represent him. The eyes and mouth also appear similar to Afro-Atlantic depictions of Eshu in the Caribbean and Latin America, which used cowrie shells and clay.
References Cited:
Berzock, Kathleen Bickford. 2007. "A Curator's Perspective." African Arts: Vol. 40, No. 1, Ceramic Arts in Africa, pp. 10-13.
Drewal, Henry John, John Pemberton and Rowland O. Abiodun. 1989.
Yoruba: Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought. New York: Center for African Art.
Thompson, Robert Farris. 1983.
Flash of the Spirit: African and Afro-American Art and Philosophy. New York: Random House.
Physical DescriptionClay vessel with a rounded bottom and a tall neck and handle. The bottom part of the vessel and handle are decorated with small holes and geometric patterns. The neck of the vessel is decorated with a face on both sides. The lips appear to be pursed and the eyes appear to be closed. The half-circle ears stick out from the top of the neck, just below the rim of the vessel. On each cheek there are three horizontal marks with small holes.
Primary Object Classification Ceramic Primary Object TypevesselCollection AreaAfricanRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
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Keywords
ceremonial vessels
personal shrines
pottery (visual works)