Lobi, Burkina Faso / Pot / 20th century

Lobi, Burkina Faso
Pot
20th century
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Creator Nationality: African
Creator Name-CRT: Lobi, Burkina Faso
Title: Pot
View: Full View
Creation Start Date: 1900
Creation End Date: 2000
Creation Date: 20th century
Creation Place: Burkino Faso, Africa
Object Type: Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Classification Term: Container
Materials and Techniques: clay
Dimensions: a) Height: 14 3/4"; width: 16 1/4"; diameter: 50 3/4"
b) Height: 6 5/8"; width: 7 3/8"
Description: Clay pot (a) with lid (b).

a) Large spherical course gray clay pot; low, round pedestal base; entire wall surface decorated with attached pointed bosses; top rectangular mouth with beveled sides allow for flush fit of lid; long sides of mouth crescent-shape, short ends semi-circular.

b) Lid, surface with bosses and standing chameleon handle grasped under animal's belly; chameleon realistically modeled with four legs, tail curled over back, pricked eyes and slit mouth.
AMICA Contributor: Brooklyn Children's Museum
Owner Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA
ID Number: 2001.1.82ab
Credit Line: Gift of an anonymous donor, 2001
Rights: http://www.amico.org/rights/bcm_.html
Context: A water storage pot for an altar inside or outside a Lobi house. Altars represent village "thila," protective spirits who direct life through the interpretations of the soothsayer. All sacred pots have lids to keep out impurities as well as the souls of the dead, who could cause trouble. Newborn babies are washed in water from these pots as protection. Other altar pots are for spirits, medicines and charms.

All sacred water pots have added decoration as specified by a soothsayer. The bosses fight witchcraft and prevent illness and misfortune. The realistically represented chameleon that stands on the lid represents wealth. Lobi pots are built up from coils. Only post-menopausal women may make altar pots. Most pots are for everyday use and there is usually a large number in every home.
AMICA ID: BCM_.2001.1.82ab
AMICA Library Year: 2003
Media Metadata Rights:

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