Vase c. 20th century

This vessel was made by a Mangbetu artist, and resides at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Look at how the waves, or are they scales, ripple around the middle of the vase, and how they contrast with the smooth belly. I imagine the artist carefully carving each line, feeling the clay yield under their touch. It's almost like the clay itself is breathing, expanding and contracting with each mark. What were they thinking as they shaped this vessel? Maybe of the flow of the river, the curve of a body, or the growth of a plant? It makes you wonder. This vase isn't just a container; it's a conversation. It's a testament to the power of craft, and how it connects us to the world and each other.