Mambila Terra Cotta Figurative Vessel

Her head is the mouth of the jar, and she is not saying a word.

The Mambila potters of the Cameroon highlands, along the border with Nigeria, gave many vessels human and animal features, for household and ritual uses. This terra cotta woman dates to the 20th century and stands fourteen inches tall.

Round ears and a ridged crest frame the wide, round lip. Her looping arms cross the chest, one hand raising a ribbed cylindrical object, and a large fan-like motif is incised across her belly above folded legs. The dark brown surface is worn to lighter highlights.

Pour carefully. She is listening.