Object of the Day

Musical Igbo Pot

June 11

In addition to round pots for storing liquids, Igbo women make musical pots that are played at women's dances, wedding ceremonies and gymnastic events. This one produces sound in two ways: by hitting it with an open palm or by striking the vessel with a leather pad while covering the top and side openings to control the flow of air.

Musical pot

Label Text
In addition to round pots for storing liquids, Igbo women make musical pots that are played at women's dances, wedding ceremonies and gymnastic events. This one produces sound in two ways: by hitting it with an open palm or by striking the vessel with a leather pad while covering the top and side openings to control the flow of air.
Description
Globular black pot with vertical incised linear decoration, a narrow neck with flared lip, a C-shaped handle high on the shoulder and a circular hole midway on the side.
Provenance
Purchased main market, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, 1983
Exhibition History
African Mosaic: Selections from the Permanent Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2013–August 12, 2019 (deinstalled July 9, 2019)
African Mosaic: Celebrating a Decade of Collecting, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2010-November 13, 2013
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Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Maker
Igbo artist
Date
1983
Credit Line
Gift of Flora Edouwaye S. Kaplan
Medium
Ceramic
Dimensions
H x Diam: 38 x 29 cm (14 15/16 x 11 7/16 in.)
Type
Sculpture