Vessel

Kurumba artist

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 341

An artisanal class of men and women has been responsible for a variety of Mossi creations that enhance daily life. Male smiths work with wood and metal to create masks, sculptures, instruments, furniture, and personal adornments. In parallel, women produce ceramics in various sizes and shapes for cooking and storage that may feature customized embellishments. The bold designs applied to this vessel imitate the cicatrization patterns added to the abdomen of a married woman who has given birth. Associated with human and agricultural fertility, this vessel’s striking decoration underscores the relationship between the body of the patron and the aesthetic of her possessions.

#1541. Kurumba Peoples Vessel

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Vessel, Kurumba artist, Terracotta, Kurumba peoples

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