Antique Bura Spirit Vessel

Description

Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terra cotta form would have been a critical component … more Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terra cotta form would have been a critical component of burial rituals of the Bura people of Niger. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage vessel would have protected the deceased's possessions as they transitioned to the afterlife. Decorated with complex incisions and dimples, this solid, earthy vessel is phallic in its sculptural presence, with a single geometric motif emergent as a well-defined focal point. less