Pot

Traditionally used to store water. Buried halfway into the ground, the vessel keeps water cool. Nupe women are considered to be among the best potters in Africa. Most of their pottery types have remained fairly static for around 250 years and were probably introduced after their conversion to Islam. The vessels almost always feature lovely incised decoration, though others do have anthropomorphic features.

Collected by the donor in 2020 in the village of Giri (Bida Valley). They were previously owned by Mr. Obangsi Otuli Kenneth, a retired ceramics teacher living in the Benue Region.

Constructed using hand-coiling and pinching techniques, then fired in an open kiln. After cooling, each pot is naturally stained with burnt ochre colour.

Red-brown pot with a spherical body and three spouts. Spouts are connected at their bases and extend from the top of the vessel at angles; openings are all flared. There is a raised band around the spout bases and around the vessel shoulder, with two handle-like protrusions on either side. Handles are oval-shaped with smooth tops and bottoms; outer edges of handles are decorated with incised diamonds. Circular motifs incised around bases of spouts; on front and right sides. Rest of vessel is undecorated.