Yoruba
Osogbo or vicinity, Nigeria
Coastal West Africa
Jar
INV-1857
Yoruba
Osogbo or vicinity, Nigeria
Coastal West AfricaEarly/mid–20th century
yorubaArts of Africaafrican ArtCoastal West Africavesselterracotta (sculpture)
Date
Early/mid–20th century
Medium
Terracotta
Dimensions
59.7 × 30.5 × 30.5 cm (23 1/2 × 12 × 12 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Keith Achepohl
The potters in and around the town of Osogbo are known for their tall, cylindrical jars. This elaborately decorated vessel features a human face at the midpoint of its long neck, which suggests that it was made for a shrine dedicated to the goddess Osun (Mother of Life-Giving Waters), the namesake of the river near Osogbo. It likely held river stones and water.
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