A rounded vessel from the Mambila of Cameroon, whose neck is formed by two heavy, knobbed arms rising into a ring around a central spout. The collection catalogue records it as coming from the Matam Chiefdom.

1. Form

The body is a broad, slightly flattened sphere. From its shoulders two thick, curving bands rise and meet at the top, where a head with an open mouth forms the spout; the bands close into an open ring. Both are covered in tightly set rows of small knobs. A narrow flat ridge runs up the front between them. On the body, shallow ridges of the same beaded work run in lines and diagonals, two small hand-like motifs sit on the upper surface, and raised arcs curve around the sides.

2. Surface

The surface is matt and fine-grained, a greyish brown that is slightly lighter on the belly. The vessel stands on a ring of braided plant fibre.

3. Context

The collection catalogue designates the piece a transformation ritual vessel, measuring 65 x 45 x 45 cm, and refers to a related vessel in the collection.

Summary

A large Mambila ritual vessel from the Matam Chiefdom, Cameroon, with a ring of knobbed bands rising around its head-shaped spout.