Zulu/ Nguni Vessel circa 19th
- TitleZulu/ Nguni Vessel circa 19th Century
- ArtistUnknown
- LocationSouth Africa
- Size24cm (L) x 24cm (W) x 40.5cm (H)
- PricePRICE 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
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.