Mangbetu Figurative Wine Vessel

The face tilts up. The coiffure fans out. The fan is the opening of the vessel.

Mangbetu potters of the Democratic Republic of Congo became known for vessels crowned with human heads, reflecting the elongated head and fanned coiffure admired as signs of beauty and refinement. This terra cotta wine vessel, from the 20th century, stands eleven and a half inches tall. The face has narrow eyes, wide nostrils and full, slightly parted lips. The coiffure is densely dotted with stippling. Stamped rosettes encircle the neck, and the round body is incised with arcs and fine texture.

It rests on a black base. Admired for beauty, then and now. Fill it, if you must.