2014.52.1 Vessel with handles

Elaborate surface decoration distinguishes this vessel as Bozo-Somono. Before firing, it was embellished with raised bands and incised and impressed geometric motifs, and was then painted with a red slip (liquid clay mixture). After firing, the vessel was rubbed with white kaolin to create color contrast and to emphasize the motifs. The potter then attached the lugs for carrying the vessel. Such vessels were traditionally given as gifts to new brides. 

Vessels of this type were used to store water offered to visitors. They were—and still are—handmade by Somono women who have changed neither the centuries-old design nor the method of production. After creating a base for the vessel in a shallow bowl, the potter builds the walls with clay coils and shapes and smooths the form on a slow-moving oiled "turntable."  

Bozo: AAT: 300015850

Somono: AAT: 300264438

Bamana: AAT: 300015848

Mali (nation): TGN: 1000175

Burkina Faso (nation): TGN: 1000208

Niger river: AAT: 1127801

ceramic (material): AAT: 300235507

coiling (pottery technique): AAT: 300053903

incising: AAT: 300053847

kaolin: AAT: 300010445

slip (clay): AAT: 300010459

terracotta: AAT: 300010669

nineteenth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404513

twentieth century (dates CE): AAT: 300404514

geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213

gifts: AAT: 300138913

Mande (West African styles): AAT: 300263508

red (color): AAT: 300126225

traditional (style): AAT: 300310540

vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015

water jars (vessels): DMA

n.d.: S. Thomas Alexander III and Laura L. Rogers, St. Louis, MO [1]

2014: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Laura L. Rogers and S. Thomas Alexander III

The main source for this provenance is the Deed of Gift dated December 21, 2014, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records object file. Supporting documentation is noted.  

[1] See the letter from S. Thomas Alexander III to Roslyn Walker of the DMA, dated October 9, 2014, copy in object file. 

Apply to objects where number equals 2014.52.1