Pot
19th century (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Zulu pottery achieved a high degree of sophistication in the 19th century. The use of pottery became more widespread as Zulu communities changed from scattered, mostly pastoral clans to being concentrated in large military kraals. Large clay pots were made for the mass storage of food and brewing of beer (utshwala). A variety of smaller pots of different shapes and sizes was created for serving and drinking beer.
Making pottery was a highly-specialised skill. Clay was dug near the homestead, dried out and later reconstituted with water when required. Different kinds of clay were used for different sizes of pot, with finer clay being used for smaller, more delicate vessels. Pots were constructed using the 'thumb and coil' method before having their external surfaces smoothed down with a small pebble. Following a preliminary firing, smaller pots were re-fired in a smoky fire to produce a glossy, dark finish.
This pot was probably used for serving or drinking beer. A thumb-shaped impression on the side of the vessel, opposite its handle, would have made the smooth spherical vessel easier to hold.
Making pottery was a highly-specialised skill. Clay was dug near the homestead, dried out and later reconstituted with water when required. Different kinds of clay were used for different sizes of pot, with finer clay being used for smaller, more delicate vessels. Pots were constructed using the 'thumb and coil' method before having their external surfaces smoothed down with a small pebble. Following a preliminary firing, smaller pots were re-fired in a smoky fire to produce a glossy, dark finish.
This pot was probably used for serving or drinking beer. A thumb-shaped impression on the side of the vessel, opposite its handle, would have made the smooth spherical vessel easier to hold.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Earthenware, unglazed burnished clay |
Brief description | Earthenware pot (probably for drinking beer), KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, 19th century |
Physical description | Smooth, round earthenware vessel (probably for drinking beer) with handle on one side and thumb-shaped impression on the either (for ease of holding?). Burnished and re-fired in smoky fire to produce a dark finish. |
Dimensions |
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Style | |
Gallery label | Museum label: Jar. Grey earthenware with black surface. Zulu (Natal). 19th century. Label - Zulu pottery from Natal. Presented by Major Garden. |
Credit line | Presented by Major Garden |
Object history | Accessions register entry: '[pasted in label] Jar of grey earthenware. From Natal. Zulu, 19th century. H 7 3/8 in., diam. 7 ¼ in. Given by Major Garden. Transferred from the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn Street. / Globular with short narrow neck, loop handle and a projection in the form of a horse-shoe on the front.' |
Summary | Zulu pottery achieved a high degree of sophistication in the 19th century. The use of pottery became more widespread as Zulu communities changed from scattered, mostly pastoral clans to being concentrated in large military kraals. Large clay pots were made for the mass storage of food and brewing of beer (utshwala). A variety of smaller pots of different shapes and sizes was created for serving and drinking beer. Making pottery was a highly-specialised skill. Clay was dug near the homestead, dried out and later reconstituted with water when required. Different kinds of clay were used for different sizes of pot, with finer clay being used for smaller, more delicate vessels. Pots were constructed using the 'thumb and coil' method before having their external surfaces smoothed down with a small pebble. Following a preliminary firing, smaller pots were re-fired in a smoky fire to produce a glossy, dark finish. This pot was probably used for serving or drinking beer. A thumb-shaped impression on the side of the vessel, opposite its handle, would have made the smooth spherical vessel easier to hold. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 4297-1901 |
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Record created | July 23, 2008 |
Record URL |
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