Additional information
| Ethnic Groups | |
|---|---|
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| Primary Materials |
Bura Inverted Pot with a Face
The Bura culture of the lower Niger River valley (modern day Niger and Burkina Faso) flourished in the distant past. Environmental changes and the spread of Islam into the region are believed to be among the causes for its demise. Bura are best known for the terracotta objects they left behind. These works are often fragmentary but fall into several categories: figures, figures astride inverted pots, heads atop inverted vessels, vessels with anthropomorphic elements, and unadorned vessels. Inverted pots, such as this example, are understood to have served as part of a funerary rite. This beautiful example is in remarkable shape. Despite its age and long exposure to the elements, its only significant loss is a section of the vessel’s bottom edge which does not visually detract from its overall beauty.
10.5″
