Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Bura Spirit Vessel, c. 1900

$3,580
£2,703.23
€3,136.30
CA$5,031.02
A$5,605.27
CHF 2,926.22
MX$68,055.47
NOK 36,780.64
SEK 34,766.64
DKK 23,412.13

About the Item

Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terracotta form would have been a critical component of burial rituals of the Bura people of Niger. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage vessel would have protected the deceased's possessions as they transitioned to the afterlife. Decorated with complex incisions and dimples, this solid, earthy vessel is phallic in its sculptural presence, with a single geometric motif emergent as a well-defined focal point.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Diameter: 11 in (27.94 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    c. 1900
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CAA0332C1stDibs: LU820012546611

More From This Seller

View All
Terracotta Bura Spirit Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terra cotta object was part of the Bura tribe's burial ritual. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerien Tribal Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Terracotta Bura Spirit Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terra cotta object was part of the Bura tribe's burial ritual. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerien Tribal Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Terracotta Bura Spirit Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Buried with their flared mouths facing down, these cylindrical storage vessels protected the deceased's possessions as they transitioned to the afterl...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerien Tribal Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Terracotta Bura Spirit Vessel, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Sometimes called a "Bura bell" due to its shape, this sculptural terra cotta object was part of the Bura tribe's burial ritual. Buried with its flared mouth facing down, this cylindrical storage...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerien Tribal Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

African Nupe Terracotta Vessel Support, c. 1900
By Nupe
Located in Chicago, IL
The Nupe people of Nigeria were touted as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects, like this elegant, cylindrical vessel support, received detailed attention. This flaring terra cotta form would have been buried halfway in the ground, in a Nupe home, and used as a stable base for a stack of traditional round pots...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Nigerian Nupe Vessel Support
By Nupe
Located in Chicago, IL
The Nupe people of Nigeria were touted as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects like this elegant, cylindrical vessel support received detailed attention. This f...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Primitive Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

You May Also Like

16th Century Ceremonial Urn from Burkina Faso, Africa
Located in NICE, FR
Beautiful funerary terracotta urn called from the Bura region (Niger) in West Africa. This cylindrical anthropomorphic sculpture is adorned with geometric designs. It depicts a human...
Category

Antique 16th Century Burkinabe Tribal Urns

Materials

Terracotta

Mid-20th Century Globular Vessel, Mangbetu People, D. R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Mid-20th Century Globular Vessel, Mangbetu People, D. R. Congo An unusually large and striking non-figurative vessel from the Mangbetu people, comprised of six lobes joined to a c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Japanese antique stone objects/rituals/prosperity of descendants/before the Edo
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old stone object from Japan, a sculptural piece called a “stone rod” that depicts male genitalia. Based on its shape, material, and discoloration, it is believed to have b...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Other Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Small Carved Wood 'Luba' Statue
Located in Washington, DC
Hand-Carved Wood 'Luba' Fertility Statue. Democratic Republic of the Congo, circa 1970.
Category

Vintage 1970s Congolese Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

A Lobi sculpture
Located in grand Lancy, CH
A Lobi sculpture with nice patina and nice style
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Burkinabe Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Tribal Fertility Sculpture for Mende Tribe
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A "Mende" carved wood female fertility figure.
Category

Antique 19th Century African Statues

Materials

Wood