Mangbetu Terracotta Ceremonial Jug

The Mangbetu people focused on highly realistic art forms. Two aspects of the tribe's traditional culture can be seen in this handled jug—the allusion to tall coiffured hair, and the tribal ritual of elongating heads during growth. This water jug represents a mature individual after elongation. The ceramicist masterfully incorporated these features into a traditional pot form, allowing for a convenient spout, grip, and body, all while preserving the fine facial expression and clearly defined teeth of the person depicted.