Pottery has a rich and varied history on the
African continent, beginning almost 10,000 years
ago and continuing on today. Clay pots were and
still are being used to cook food, store water and
for various other functions related to food
preparation. In most cases, pottery was made by
women, who worked entirely by hand or poured
it into moulds. After drying, the pots are put in a
pile and covered with wood, bark or dried cow
dung and baked outdoors in an open fire;
however in certain areas such as Nigeria and
Mali, pots are baked in higher-heating kilns.
After baking, the pots are then decorated.
Polishing pots was and still is a common practice
among various African tribes, especially those
from the central region whose pots have a deep
lustrous finish normally achieved by the firing
process. Sometimes, plant dyes were randomly
splashed on after the firing process for coloring.
Additional decorative elements include engraved
abstract or geometric patterns carved into the
surface of the body. Human and/or animal
figures also embellish certain works, sometimes
as appliqués added to the wet surface before
firing. Other materials were also added to the
pots for functionality or ornamental purposes,
such as the basketwork covers that are fitted
over pots, making them more functional and also
more elegant.
- (CK.0557)
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