Makonde Culture, Mozambique
Storage Pot
Zulu Culuture, South Africa
Beer Pot
Current and Upcoming ExhibitionsOpening May 31
The nearly 80 works in this exhibition showcase the diversity of purpose and style in functional African ceramics. With uses ranging from grain storage to beer brewing, each ceramic vessel's form matches its function - a tall neck helps contain liquids during transport, while a large mouth allows the user to easily stir and ladle them out. Including works from cultures across the continent, the show is derived largely from a promised gift of nearly 100 African works from an anonymous New York-based collector. The gift is a welcome addition to the Museum's famed African Art collection, and it includes notable examples of works from the Zulu, Lobi, and Songye cultures, among others.
African Ceramics is the first exhibit in the newly reopened Ceramics II Gallery, which adjoins the Ceramics Gallery on the southwest corner of the Museum. The gallery, which previously housed other African works from the collection, had been closed for nearly two years.
Click here to read the full press release on the show.
