Urn with Stopper c. 20th century

This Urn with Stopper was made by Solongo or Mboma, and it’s a real reminder of the process of artmaking. You can tell that it's the product of many hours of work. The texture and surface are what grab you first. The clay feels so grounded, earthy, and ancient. You can almost smell the kiln. It’s not just a container; it’s a record of someone’s touch, someone’s patience, and someone’s vision. The patterns etched into the surface, zigzags and diamonds, they’re not just decoration; they’re a form of language, and a way of connecting with something bigger than ourselves. The way the light catches on those etched lines, it’s like the urn is whispering secrets. The way that the urn feels so connected to the earth reminds me of the vessels made by Lucie Rie, but this is something else, something older, something more mysterious. It's more than just an object, it's a portal to another way of seeing and experiencing the world.