Lot # 139 - Umtali Pottery Pitcher

Opening Bid : $ 5.00
Pickup Instructions: Pickup Dec 14 10-3
Start Date/Time: 02-Dec-2025 7:00:00 AM
End Date/Time: 09-Dec-2025 9:18:00 PM
Current bid:

$5.00

Highest bidder:

DangBraveGirl

This sale will end in:
Bid for this item !

Description :

Umtali Pottery Pitcher: A Vessel of Zimbabwean Craft and Heritage

This Umtali pottery pitcher is a handcrafted ceramic vessel from the Mutare region of Zimbabwe, formerly known as Umtali. It reflects the artistry and cultural traditions of the region’s ceramic heritage.

Origin and Cultural Context

  • Location: Umtali, now Mutare, is located in eastern Zimbabwe near the Mozambique border. The area has a long history of pottery-making, with roots in ancient trade and settlement patterns.

  • Historical Significance: Pottery from Mutare often served both utilitarian and ceremonial roles, shaped by the needs of daily life and spiritual practice.

Design and Craftsmanship

  • Form: The pitcher has a rounded base, a narrow neck, and a single handle connecting the neck to the body—an ergonomic design for pouring liquids.

  • Material: Made from reddish-brown clay, typical of the region’s natural deposits.

  • Decoration: The surface features a black zigzag pattern, which may symbolize water, movement, or protection. Such motifs are common in African pottery and often carry deeper cultural meanings.

  • Technique: Likely hand-built and fired in traditional kilns, showcasing the artisan’s skill and connection to ancestral methods.



Dimensions : 4.5 in W x 5.25 in H

Auction History

Highest bidder is DangBraveGirl

Date Bid User
05-Dec-2025 12:48:51 PM $5.00 DangBraveGirl

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