Mangbetu Ceramic Figurative Vessel

A beaked face, a halo of hair and two arms looping round to hold up the chin.

This figurative vessel is Mangbetu, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is incised terra cotta. In the Mangbetu region, figurative pottery is usually taken to reflect the courtly taste of the period, with heads and hairstyles modeled with particular care. Its fan-shaped crest is densely pricked, and the long, birdlike nose rests between two hands raised to the chin. The arms form open loops on either side. A strap handle curves off the back, and bold zigzag bands circle the rounded belly. It is 13.5 inches high and 8 in diameter.

Lost in thought, and holding on to it.