Nupe Ceramic Storage Vessel

White half-moons, tiny dots, and a coat the color of strong tea.

This terra cotta vessel was made by Nupe potters of Nigeria, West Africa, in the 19th century. Nupe jars like this were commonly kept for storing water and other household goods. A band of tiny incised dots rings the shoulder, and two pale half-moon motifs are filled with white pigment against dark brown. Raised ridges, finely impressed, set off the decorated zone. The body below is smooth and deeply burnished, narrowing to a short foot.

About 18 inches tall and 14 wide. The most compact of the lot, and arguably the best dressed.