Mangbetu Figurative Wine Vessel

Spirals on the shoulders, scarification marks on the cheeks.

Mangbetu potters of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, made this terra cotta vessel in the 20th century. The Mangbetu are widely known for ceramics modeled as human heads, with elongated crowns recalling a court tradition of head shaping, and such vessels are often used for palm wine. A long straight nose and fine incised lines mark the face, with a perforated collar below.

About ten inches tall. Stately and a bit severe. The spirals do the talking, and they never repeat themselves.