Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art

About this Work

Many Zulu group drinking vessels have been created using a technique known as amasumpa, in which artists adhere decorative bits of clay to the exterior after the vessel is leather-hard. Although this technique often involves the application of raised bumps ("amasumpa" refers to "warts"), many variations exist within this tradition. Differences among forms and amasumpa reflect variations in regional style, ceramists' technical mastery, and the individual creativity of the artist.

In the creation of this vessel, MaGumbi applied strips of clay to the shoulder of this pot, and then scored the strips by hand. This is an amasumpa technique that is common in the northern Pongola region, the artist's home.