Mangbetu Figurative Wine Vessel

Palm wine wants a proper vessel. The Mangbetu potters understood this and made it a person.

This terra cotta vessel, made in the 20th century, takes a human form: a round body, two arms modeled in relief, a slender neck with a finely dotted collar, a calm face with full lips. The tall, flaring headdress recalls the fan-shaped coiffure that signified beauty and status, and it is textured with rows of tiny impressions.

Twelve and a half inches tall, dark and smoky, polished soft. It rests on a metal ring stand.

Serve something in it, or simply let it preside.