Chamba Ceramic Anthropomorphic Vessel

Two ridges meet above a hollow. Somewhere in there, a face.

This anthropomorphic vessel comes from Chamba potters of Nigeria, West Africa, and was made in terra cotta in the 20th century. Chamba face pots are commonly associated with ritual and community life. Viewed from the top, a thick banded rim encircles a deep dark opening, and shallow grooves curve across the brow of the pot. The clay is a dusty umber, rough in the hand and crusted slightly around the mouth.

About 4 by 5 by 6 inches. A modest thing that gets more interesting every time you pass.