What is an African pot?

African pottery is diverse and culturally varied. An African pot can be a simple vessel for food or liquid but many carry social and religious significance. African pottery has always been highly sought after and is beloved by antique collectors worldwide. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique African pottery from some of the world’s top sellers.

Are clay pots and terracotta pots the same?

No, clay pots and terracotta pots are not the same. While terracotta pots are a type of clay pot, not all clay pots are terracotta. Terracotta is a clay material that is modeled and fired to create a signature brown-orange color. Clay pots can be created in any color. Browse a range of both clay and terracotta pots on 1stDibs.

How can I age a terracotta pot?

There are a few tips and tricks to aging a terracotta pot. First, you can apply plain yogurt to help achieve an aged patina. Another method is to plug the drainage hole and fill the pot with water-soluble fertilizer. Shop a collection of terracotta pots from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Are terracotta pots safe?

Yes, terracotta pots are indeed safe for use; however, the pots should be thoroughly sterilized before first use because they are porous and can absorb harmful chemicals or moisture. You’ll find a variety of terracotta pots from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is the difference between terracotta and clay pots?

A terracotta pot is simply a clay pot that has been fired. Clay is just the name of the material that terracotta pots are made out of. Shop an array of terracotta pots from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.

Can terracotta pots withstand heat?

Whether or not terracotta pots can withstand heat depends on how well they are made and cared for. A finely crafted pot can usually hold up in the face of high temperatures. If you intend to cook with one, season it with cooking oil to increase its durability. Shop a collection of terracotta pots on 1stDibs.

How are African clay pots made?

African clay pots are made by coiling the material around a flattened base and then hand-molding it into the desired shape. Then, the piece is sun dried and fired at a low temperature. On 1stDibs, find authentic African clay pots from some of the top sellers around the world.

African Terracotta Pot

South African Pottery

Mali Tribal Art

Vintage Plant Pot

Terracotta Water Urns

Modernist, Lobi Terracotta Floor Pot, Africa, 20th C.

$1,800

H 18.5 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in

Modernist, Lobi Terracotta Floor Pot, Africa, 20th C.

Located in Manhasset, NY

Modernist, Lobi Terracotta Floor Pot, Africa, 20th C. An example of a Lobi terracotta pot, an

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières

Materials

Terracotta

African Nupe terracotta pot / 20th century/Geometric decorative ceramic

$1,500

H 15.56 in Dm 12.68 in

African Nupe terracotta pot / 20th century/Geometric decorative ceramic

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This impressive jar is an unglazed terracotta vessel believed to have been made by the Nupe people

Category

20th Century Nigerian Other Vases

Materials

Pottery

Recent Sales

West African Malinese Hand Crafted Terracotta Pot / Sculpture

Sold

H 18.75 in W 16.25 in D 19 in

West African Malinese Hand Crafted Terracotta Pot / Sculpture

Located in North Palm Beach, FL

African art. The bottom half of the pot has a traditional bamana design and texture. A rope and emblem

Category

Vintage 1950s Malian Planters and Jardinieres

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of Terra Cotta Water Pots with Lids, Africa, 1950s

Sold

H 19 in Dm 16.5 in

Pair of Terra Cotta Water Pots with Lids, Africa, 1950s

Located in New York, NY

Pair of terra cotta water pots with lids from the Gurunsi tribe in Burkina Faso Africa. Circular

Category

Vintage 1950s Burkinabe Urns

Materials

Terracotta

African Terracotta Water Pot with Lid, 1930s

Sold

H 22 in Dm 15 in

African Terracotta Water Pot with Lid, 1930s

Located in New York, NY

1930s African terracotta water pot with lid from the Gurunsi tribe in Burkina Faso in Africa

Category

Vintage 1930s Burkinabe Urns

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage Decorative Cooking Pot, African, Terracotta, Plant Stand, Jardinière

Sold

H 11.82 in W 12.21 in D 23.43 in

Vintage Decorative Cooking Pot, African, Terracotta, Plant Stand, Jardinière

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a vintage decorative cooking pot. A West African, terracotta plant stand or jardinière

Category

Mid-20th Century Decorative Bowls

Materials

Terracotta

African Terracotta Pot, Zambia

Sold

H 10 in W 16 in

African Terracotta Pot, Zambia

Located in New York, NY

flattened sphere, this pot has shallow vertical ridges leading up to the decorative slip decoration near the

Category

Vintage 1930s Tanzanian Tribal Art

Materials

Terracotta

Mid-20th Century African Tribal Terracotta Ceramic Pot

Sold

H 14.5 in Dm 21 in

Mid-20th Century African Tribal Terracotta Ceramic Pot

Located in New York, NY

Hlabisa, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Potter: Busisiwe Ngobese.

Category

Mid-20th Century South African Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-20th Century African Tribal Terracotta Ceramic Pot

Sold

H 19 in Dm 19.5 in

Mid-20th Century African Tribal Terracotta Ceramic Pot

Located in New York, NY

Bozo/Somono, Mali.

Category

Mid-20th Century Malian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-20th Century African Tribal Terracotta Ceramic Pot

Sold

H 17 in Dm 17.5 in

Mid-20th Century African Tribal Terracotta Ceramic Pot

Located in New York, NY

Igala, Nigeria.

Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Ceramic

Magnificent African Ceramic Pot, Nigeria

Sold

H 17 in

Magnificent African Ceramic Pot, Nigeria

Located in New York, NY

A magnificent terracotta vessel from the Nupe peoples of Nigeria. The etched design is continued

Category

20th Century Nigerian Pottery

Materials

Terracotta

Africa Terra Cotta Pot from Zambia

Sold

H 12.5 in W 11 in

Africa Terra Cotta Pot from Zambia

Located in New York, NY

This beautiful African ceramic pot is decorated with etched and slip-decorated leaves and triangles

Category

20th Century Zambian Tribal Art

Materials

Terracotta

South African Nesta Nala Ceramic Pot

Sold

H 9.25 in Dm 11 in

South African Nesta Nala Ceramic Pot

Located in New York, NY

Nesta Nala (1940-2005) was an award-winning South African Zulu potter. Nala learnt how to make

Category

Late 20th Century South African Pottery

Materials

Terracotta

Folk Art Under $1,000

Antique and Vintage Folk Art

20th Century Folk Art

Ceramic Folk Art

African Folk Art

Folk Art on Sale

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African Terracotta Pot For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the African terracotta pot you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of ceramic, terracotta and natural fiber, every African terracotta pot was constructed with great care. There are 8 variations of the antique or vintage African terracotta pot you’re looking for, while we also have 5 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect African terracotta pot — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. An African terracotta pot made by modern designers — as well as those associated with mid-century modern — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one African terracotta pot that is appealing in its simplicity, but Berber Tribes of Morocco and Beni M'Guild produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is an African Terracotta Pot?

Prices for an African terracotta pot can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $163 and can go as high as $4,999, while the average can fetch as much as $990.

Questions About African Terracotta Pot

What is an African pot?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
African pottery is diverse and culturally varied. An African pot can be a simple vessel for food or liquid but many carry social and religious significance. African pottery has always been highly sought after and is beloved by antique collectors worldwide. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique African pottery from some of the world’s top sellers.
Are clay pots and terracotta pots the same?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
No, clay pots and terracotta pots are not the same. While terracotta pots are a type of clay pot, not all clay pots are terracotta. Terracotta is a clay material that is modeled and fired to create a signature brown-orange color. Clay pots can be created in any color. Browse a range of both clay and terracotta pots on 1stDibs.
How can I age a terracotta pot?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
There are a few tips and tricks to aging a terracotta pot. First, you can apply plain yogurt to help achieve an aged patina. Another method is to plug the drainage hole and fill the pot with water-soluble fertilizer. Shop a collection of terracotta pots from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
Are terracotta pots safe?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, terracotta pots are indeed safe for use; however, the pots should be thoroughly sterilized before first use because they are porous and can absorb harmful chemicals or moisture. You’ll find a variety of terracotta pots from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is the difference between terracotta and clay pots?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A terracotta pot is simply a clay pot that has been fired. Clay is just the name of the material that terracotta pots are made out of. Shop an array of terracotta pots from top sellers around the world on 1stDibs.
Can terracotta pots withstand heat?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Whether or not terracotta pots can withstand heat depends on how well they are made and cared for. A finely crafted pot can usually hold up in the face of high temperatures. If you intend to cook with one, season it with cooking oil to increase its durability. Shop a collection of terracotta pots on 1stDibs.
How are African clay pots made?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
African clay pots are made by coiling the material around a flattened base and then hand-molding it into the desired shape. Then, the piece is sun dried and fired at a low temperature. On 1stDibs, find authentic African clay pots from some of the top sellers around the world.