Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 5

20th Century Tribal Zulu Ceramic Pot, South Africa

$7,500List Price

About the Item

An exceptional Zulu beer vessel. This is the finest example we have ever owned. The pot has a satisfying form, is very large and has beautiful incised patterning. Zulu pot making is the sole domain of women. Pots are made by using multiple thin coils of clay. Potters use a variety of patterns to ornament beer vessels, the textures of which Stand in strong contrast to the pots’ highly burnished surfaces. Patterns often run in chains around the shoulders of a pot or take the form of large shapes placed in a pleasingly off-balance manner. Pots for brewing and storing beer are large, unembellished, and made of coarse clay. These vessels are kept in the dark, far back reaches of the house, in the sacred and private area called umsamo, that is visited by one’s ancestors. The more public containers for serving and drinking beer are made from finer clay and are blackened in a smoky reduction firing of grass or dung. Blackening signifies the association of pots with the ancestors and creates and environment that is more accessible to them. Serving beer to family and guests, therefore, is a meaningful gesture of hospitality and spiritual connection that is enhanced by the use of beautiful containers. The ukhamba, or serving pots, used at most gatherings are medium sized. They are attractively round with an unornamented lip, and the most accomplished pieces have very thin, evenly worked walls and a smooth, glossy surface. This pot was exhibited at the Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase, New York and was published in Constellations: Studies in African Art, Vol.1. We guarantee the authenticity of all our objects.

Dimensions:
Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Diameter: 22 in (55.88 cm)
Style:
Tribal (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Clay
Place of Origin:
South Africa
Period:
20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Mid-20th Century
Condition:
Minor losses. In excellent condition. Pot has a small chip on the lip.
Seller Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU104801167894

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Tribal Jaff Kurd Mini Early 20th Century Rug

$1,675

Free Shipping

W 18 in L 20 in

African Kuba Embroidered Raffia Textile, Early 20th Century

Located in Istanbul, TR

It is in rather good condition, except some ware and some slight yellowness due to use and age.

Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Pillows and Throws

Materials

Raffia

African Kuba Embroidered Raffia Textile, Early 20th Century

$1,450

Free Shipping

H 69.69 in W 38.19 in D 0.4 in

Vintage Masonic Shriner Burgundy Ceramic Vase

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

AL Malaikah vintage Masonic Shriner iconic burgundy Fez hat design ceramic planter or vase. Vintage fez hat from Los Angeles Al Malaikah Shriner mason...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Moorish Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Masonic Shriner Burgundy Ceramic Vase

$295

H 6 in W 7 in D 5 in

Vintage Handcrafted African Mask, 20th Century

Located in Roma, IT

Vintage Handcrafted African Mask, probably from Congo. Mid-20th Century. Very good condition.

Category

20th Century Italian Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Wood

Vintage Handcrafted African Mask, 20th Century

$893

H 1.58 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in

African Springbok Mount, Early 20th Century

Located in Atlanta, GA

Mounted on a dark walnut backplate, the antlers and partial skull with good patina.

Category

Early 20th Century African Taxidermy

Materials

Horn

African Springbok Mount, Early 20th Century

$1,140

H 13 in W 8 in D 11 in

African Gemsbok Mount, early 20th century

Located in Atlanta, GA

the horn and partial skull mount mounted on a shaped shield form backplate made of light oak

Category

Vintage 1920s African Taxidermy

Materials

Horn

African Gemsbok Mount, early 20th century

$2,470

H 45 in W 10.5 in D 17.5 in

Moroccan Khoumya Tribal Dagger, 20th Century

By Berber Tribes of Morocco

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Moroccan Khoumya Tribal hand -crafted and hand-carved dagger with brass scabbard and a chiseled wooden grip. Hand made by Moroccan artisans and is one-of-a-kind. Good condition wit...

Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Arms, Armor and Weapons

Materials

Brass, Steel

Moroccan Khoumya Tribal Dagger, 20th Century

$725

H 0.75 in W 4 in D 15 in

Mid-20th Century Vintage Umbrella Stand, Deep, Floral, Ceramic Stick Pot

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a mid-20th century vintage umbrella stand, a deep, floral ceramic stick pot. Attractively decorated with loose-hand flowers and foliage Blue ba...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Umbrella Stands

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-20th Century Vintage Umbrella Stand, Deep, Floral, Ceramic Stick Pot

$712

H 18.9 in Dm 7.88 in

Antique Dutch Art Deco Bookends by Godefridus Boonenkamp 1931 Ceramic Pottery

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

Gorgeous Dutch ceramic pottery Art Deco bookends. Designed by Godefridus Boonenkamp in 1931. Very nice, large bookends, made of white baked earthenware ...

Category

Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Bookends

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Antique Dutch Art Deco Bookends by Godefridus Boonenkamp 1931 Ceramic Pottery

$1,423 / set

Free Shipping

H 11.42 in W 7.88 in D 5.52 in

20th Century African Shovel Currency on Stand

Located in High Point, NC

This fascinating piece is an example of shovel currency, formerly used among the peoples of northern Nigeria as a form of monetary exchange. Forged iron would have been traded for go...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Nigerian Rustic Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Metal

20th Century African Shovel Currency on Stand

$1,995 / item

H 36.6 in W 26.6 in D 11.8 in

More From This Seller

View All

19th Century Original Photograph of Camps Bay, South Africa

Located in New York, NY

A rare original albumen print of Camps Bay, South Africa.

Category

Antique 19th Century South African Photography

19th Century Original Photograph of Camps Bay, South Africa

$750

20th Century Fante Asafo Flag, Ghana

Located in New York, NY

A large and graphically stunning Fante asafo flag. Fante flags represent the merger of two cultural traditions, the Akan tradition of combining pro...

Category

Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Decorative Art

Materials

Fabric

20th Century Fante Asafo Flag, Ghana

$3,500

Mid-20th Century Fante Asafo Flag, Ghana

Located in New York, NY

A large and graphically stunning asafo flag. Fante flags represent the merger of two cultural traditions, the Akan tradition of combining proverbs with ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Art

Mid-20th Century Fante Asafo Flag, Ghana

$1,800

African Lidded Vessel, Congo

Located in New York, NY

The Shi peoples are agriculturalists living on the shores of Lake Kivu in D.R. Congo. Artistically they are best known for their distinctively carved cups and pitchers...

Category

20th Century Congolese Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

African Lidded Vessel, Congo

$2,500

Rare Gabonese African Harp

Located in New York, NY

A rare figurative harp from made by the Vuvi or Tsogo people of Gabon. It is an instrument traditionally played by young men and boys. These rare instruments are well known for their...

Category

20th Century Gabonese Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Rare Gabonese African Harp

$6,000

Rare Gold Ashanti Royal Bracelet from Jacaranda Tribal

Located in New York, NY

This magnificent gold bracelet was made for Ashanti royalty. The Ashanti Kingdom's wealth was significantly based on gold-mining and trading in gold, as well as agriculture. The ki...

Category