Bambara Ceramic Wedding Pot

Marriage, in terra cotta. It has held up so far.

This wedding pot is Bambara, from Mali, in West Africa, and dates to the early 20th century. It is terra cotta. Large pots made by women potters had their place in Bambara households, and vessels tied to marriage could mark a bride's move into a new home, though the customs varied. Fine rolled textures cover the egg-shaped body, divided by two raised bands. Applied ridges end in small forked motifs, with two round bosses on one band. The rim is thick and glossy, the foot short. It stands 20.5 inches high and measures 16 across.

Vows are harder to fire.