Mambila Ceramic Anthropomorphic Vessel

A hand over the mouth. A second on the chest. The gesture is left unexplained.

This anthropomorphic vessel is Mambila, from Cameroon, 20th century, in terra cotta. Figural pots among the Mambila are thought to have played a part in healing and protective practice, though accounts vary. The neck of the jar becomes a face, with white teeth, pierced ears and scratched white lines. Two modeled arms wrap the shoulders, fingers picked out in white. Below them a band of incised chevrons circles the body, above dots of blue and pink pigment on a dark ground. It stands 17.5 inches high and 10 wide.

It holds its contents and its counsel.