Zulu/ Nguni Vessel circa 19th

  • Title
    Zulu/ Nguni Vessel circa 19th Century
  • Artist
    Unknown
  • Location
    South Africa
  • Size
    24cm (L) x 24cm (W) x 40.5cm (H)
  • Price
    PRICE ON REQUEST

The shape of this type of vessel “is unlike any indigenously used vessels, except that they have rounded bottoms like indigenous pots, necessitating the addition of three legs. The very finely engraved ridged or fluted interlaced patterns are similar to those found in snuff-boxes made by a number of different southern African groups. Because of this, it has been suggested that such vessels were used as storage jars for tobacco, but there is no field evidence that points to this as an accurate reflection of their function. (Pethica, Terrance, Sandra Klopper and Anitra Nettleton, The Art of Southern Africa, 5 Continents, Milan, 2007, fig. 64)

Delicately carved in very light wood with incised linear grooves in geometric patterns and standing on a tripod base; two handles on both the body and the lid; the lid has a flat top; rich, blackened patina with wear indicative of age and cultural use.

A similar example is in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.  It is dated to mid–late 19th century and attributed to a specific carver, Unobhadule who was (active mid- to late 19th century),  Northern Nguni,  KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.  Eastern and Southern Africa.

Provenance

Thomas Otte Stensager, Copenhagen

Kevin Conru, Brussels / London

Ned and Mina Smith, California

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The shape of this type of vessel “is unlike any indigenously used vessels, except that they have rounded bottoms like indigenous pots, necessitating the addition of three legs. The very finely engraved ridged or fluted interlaced patterns are similar to those found in snuff-boxes made by a number of different southern African groups. Because of this, it has been suggested that such vessels were used as storage jars for tobacco, but there is no field evidence that points to this as an accurate reflection of their function. (Pethica, Terrance, Sandra Klopper and Anitra Nettleton, The Art of Southern Africa, 5 Continents, Milan, 2007, fig. 64)

Delicately carved in very light wood with incised linear grooves in geometric patterns and standing on a tripod base; two handles on both the body and the lid; the lid has a flat top; rich, blackened patina with wear indicative of age and cultural use.

A similar example is in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.  It is dated to mid–late 19th century and attributed to a specific carver, Unobhadule who was (active mid- to late 19th century),  Northern Nguni,  KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.  Eastern and Southern Africa.

Provenance

Thomas Otte Stensager, Copenhagen

Kevin Conru, Brussels / London

Ned and Mina Smith, California

Zulu/ Nguni Vessel circa 19th Century, very finely engraved ridged or fluted interlaced patterns are similar to those found in snuff-boxes made by a number of different southern African groups.