Detail View: The AMICA Library: Beerpot

AMICA ID: 
CMA_.1999.192
AMICA Library Year: 
2001
Object Type: 
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Creator Nationality: 
African; Southern African; South African; Zulu
Creator Name-CRT: 
Africa, Zulu
Title: 
Beerpot
Title Type: 
Primary
View: 
Full View
Creation Date: 
20th century
Creation Start Date: 
1900
Creation End Date: 
1999
Materials and Techniques: 
pottery
Classification Term: 
Ceramic
Dimensions: 
Overall: 26.7cm x 25.4cm
AMICA Contributor: 
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Owner Location: 
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
ID Number: 
1999.192
Credit Line: 
Gift of Bernie and Sue Pucker in memory of Robert P. Bergman
Rights: 
Context: 
Within the Zulu culture (the Northern Nguni tribe), the making of beer pots is the traditional function of women. A potter will travel far searching in riverbeds or for anthills that can supply the correct clay for the vessels. Formed using the coil technique and smoothed using flattened stones, the pots are fired in a dug-out earthen 'kiln,' and covered with palm leaves, whose oil results in the blackened, shiny texture of the vessels. Years of use deepen this texture to a rich woody patina.
Related Image Identifier Link: 
CMA_.1999.192.TIF