Zande bowl
Other views of this artifact:
Accession Number:
1948.2.134
Country:
Sudan
Region:
[Southern Sudan]
Cultural Group:
Zande
Date Made:
By 1930
Materials:
Wood Plant , Pigment
Process:
Carved , Stained
Dimensions:
Ht = 280, rim diam ext. = 362 x 347, mouth diam int. = 308 x 287; foot Ht = 125, L = 155, W = 147 mm; window W = 38 mm [RTS 13/4/2005].
Weight:
>1000 g
Other Owners:
Probably collected by Evans-Pritchard himself during his fieldwork amongst the Zande, which took place during 1927, part of 1928 and 1929 and for several months during 1930 [CM; RTS 6/7/2004].
Field Collector:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
PRM Source:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Acquired:
Found unentered February 1948
Collected Date:
1927 - 1930
Description:
Slightly oval bowl carved from a single block of wood and consisting of an everted, flat-topped rim with thin outer edge, on a deep body with concave sides that flare down and in to a flattened underside.
This is set on top of a solid pedestal foot with four flat sides, splaying out to a flat base, cut slightly concave on 2 sides.
It has been shaved down each of the sloping side edges to produce bevelled corners, as well as around the lower edge.
2 oval windows have been cut into opposite sides, connecting with each other at the centre of the foot.
These have 3 concave scallops at their base.
The bowl interior, fenestrations and base underside have all been left the natural yellow colour of the wood (Pantone 7508C), while the top of the rim and exterior surfaces have been stained a dark brownish black (Pantone black 7C).
The wood itself is very soft and lightweight.
The bowl is complete, but has a crack along one side and a large stain on the interior rim; the outer surface is scratched and the colour has come off in some areas, while there is minor damage or wear also to the edges of the foot.
It is 280 mm high, with an external rim diameter of 362 by 347 mm and a mouth diameter of 308 by 287 mm; the foot is 125 mm tall, and measures 155 by 147 mm across its base, while the windows have a width of 38 mm.
Collected by Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard during his fieldwork amongst the Zande, which took place during 1927, part of 1928 and 1929 and for several months during 1930.
Wooden bowls and stools were carved by specialist craftsmen from several species of green timber, probably during the dry season, and were used by the people form whom they were acquired. The black staining and polishing was done by the owners themselves.
For similar Zande bowls, see 1948.2.130 (with a fenestrated foot), 1948.2.132 (with a solid foot), and 1948.2.135 (with a cylindrical rather than pyramidal foot, also fenestrated). Rachael Sparks 18/9/2005.
Collected by Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard during his fieldwork amongst the Zande, which took place during 1927, part of 1928 and 1929 and for several months during 1930.
Wooden bowls and stools were carved by specialist craftsmen from several species of green timber, probably during the dry season, and were used by the people form whom they were acquired. The black staining and polishing was done by the owners themselves.
For similar Zande bowls, see 1948.2.130 (with a fenestrated foot), 1948.2.132 (with a solid foot), and 1948.2.135 (with a cylindrical rather than pyramidal foot, also fenestrated). Rachael Sparks 18/9/2005.
Primary Documentation:
Accession Book Entry
[p.
264] - E.
E.
EVANS-PRITCHARD, INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY, OXFORD.
Found unentered; collected by donor.
[p, 265] 1948.2.134 - ZANDE.
Wooden bowl, pierced pyramidal foot.
11" high, 14" across top.
Painted black outside, Plain.
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the catalogue card [RTS 2/2/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - AFRICA, Sudan, ZANDE. Wooden bowl with tall fenestrated foot. Coll. by E.E. Evans-Pritchard. Found unentered Feb. 1948. 1948.2.134 [plastic coated label, tied to object; RTS 13/4/2005].
Written on object - Zande [pencil], ZANDE. 1948.2.134. d.d. EVANS-PRITCHARD [ink; RTS 13/4/2005].
Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the catalogue card [RTS 2/2/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - AFRICA, Sudan, ZANDE. Wooden bowl with tall fenestrated foot. Coll. by E.E. Evans-Pritchard. Found unentered Feb. 1948. 1948.2.134 [plastic coated label, tied to object; RTS 13/4/2005].
Written on object - Zande [pencil], ZANDE. 1948.2.134. d.d. EVANS-PRITCHARD [ink; RTS 13/4/2005].
