Bura Libation Vessel

The shape, color and texture of this medium-sized vessel is typical of ancient vessels from western Niger. Because it is intact, it most likely served as a one time offering vessel or as part of a burial cache. The pot itself comes from the estate of Joseph Knopfelmacher, who in the 1970s and ’80s developed a close working relationship with a Hausa art dealer operating out of domiciles in Bobo Diouloso, Burkina Faso and Niamey, the capital of Niger. In the 1990s, this trader became one of the major traffickers in Bura terracottas, a trade that for many years the Niger government largely ignored. At the time, no agreements existed between the U.S. and Niger restricting such trade; the situation was much the same in Europe.

8″ height with pot ring

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