Djenne Long-Necked Vessel

The potters around ancient Djenne made for the household and for the grave.

This long-necked terra cotta vessel, from the Inland Niger Delta in Mali, dates to between the 12th and 17th centuries. It stands ten and a half inches tall, with a broad, squat body and a tall, slightly tapering neck ringed with incised lines near the rim and at the base.

The pale buff clay keeps traces of red slip in streaks and patches, with dark fire marks near the bottom. There is a visible loss on the shoulder and small chips at the mouth, consistent with its great age.

Some damage is just the long way of saying old.