Anthropomorphic Vessel

In early-20th-century northeastern Zaire, anthropomorphic pottery emerged as a new, prestigious ceramic form associated with rulership. The pots, which were produced until the mid-20th century, were inspired by local Mangbetu peoples' hairstyles and elongated heads, shaped by binding them during infancy. Scholars believe that early examples were made by male potters of the neighboring Azande peoples working in the court of a Mangbetu king.  Ruling elites of the Mangbetu, Azande and neighboring peoples commissioned anthropomorphic pots, such as these two, which were presented to visiting dignitaries and collected by Europeans and Americans.