Bowl c. 20th century

This earthenware bowl was created by the Tiv people, but we don't know when. The bowl is a terracotta color and has a figure sitting on top of it, like it's riding the curve of a wave. I can imagine the artist building this bowl, pressing the clay, feeling its coolness and pliability in their hands. The surface has imperfections, which I always love, and it has marks like simple line drawings scored into the clay. Look closely at the figure on top. It is an abstracted, almost comical little figure, which seems to watch over the contents of the bowl, whatever they may be! This piece reminds me of the vessels made in many cultures throughout history. It seems connected to an ancient conversation about form, function, and symbolism. It reflects a human desire to create, to tell stories, and to connect with our materials.