Untitled 1862 - 1872

This stoneware face vessel was created in the Edgefield District of South Carolina, a region known for its African American potters, sometime between 1800 and 1920. The vessel's prominent features – the bulging eyes and open mouth – speak to a tradition deeply rooted in African spiritual and cultural practices. Consider the widespread use of similar figures in various African cultures. The open mouth, often interpreted as a symbol of communication with the spirit world, echoes in ancient masks and ritual objects. This motif transcends geographical boundaries, appearing in different forms across time, from the grotesque masks of ancient theatre to the silent screams in modern art. Each iteration carries the weight of collective memory, subtly altered by its context. The intense gaze evokes a primal emotional response. Such imagery touches the core of human experience, surfacing in our collective consciousness.