Checklist for African Ceramics with the LSC Arts Program
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art at Colorado State University (CSU) is proud to steward this world-renowned collection of African pottery for the Colorado community. Collected largely throughout the twentieth century, works of art such as these have long been overlooked in favor of more iconic masks and figural sculpture created by African artists.
In spite of historical frameworks which position earthenware vessels as “craft” rather than
“art,” their aesthetic value is evident in their unique forms, decorative elements, and surface textures. Look closely and you can see examples of projecting sculptural imagery, sunken relief designs, and etched patterns. This variety of decorative elements not only demonstrates the cultural diversity of the artists and communities from whence these vessels came but are often reflective of the function and significance of pottery in local settings.
In addition, scholarship completed by students and faculty at CSU continues to shed light on the local use and meaning of these objects within their historical contexts across the African continent.
This collection, which features nearly 200 vessels from 23 different countries and 70 cultures, represents the wonderful artistic diversity of the African continent and demonstrates how the
visual arts promote values of inclusion and equity at Colorado State University.
Vinyl design by Sierra Lammers (Class of 2025)
CHECKLIST: African Ceramics at LSC Arts
CASE A
1. Unidentified Toussian Artist
Burkina Faso, Laguakoro (near Banfora)
Water vessel
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift made possible by Robert F. Bina and Delores De Wilde Bina, 2016.10.1
2. Aselina Ngbose
South Africa
Ukhamba
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift, 2021.24.10
3. Unidentified Nupe Artist
Nigeria
Liquid storage vessel
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift made possible by Robert F. Bina and Delores De Wilde Bina, 2016.20.7
4. Unidentified Babessi artist
Cameroon
Water vessel
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift, 2021.24.1
5. Unidentified Bamana / Dogon Artist
Mali
Jigada [beer vessel]
early 20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, gift of Richard and Jan De Vore, 1999.1.12
6. Unidentified Karamojong Artist
Uganda
Beer vessel
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift, 2018.23.24
7.Unidentified Maninka Artist
Mali
Water vessel
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift, 2018.23.9
8. Unidentified Igbo Artist
Nigeria
Oko [shrine vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift, 2018.23.21
CASE B
9. Unidentified Mambila Artist
Cameroon
Vessel
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, gift of Bill Simmons, 2019.11.25
10. Unidentified Dogon Artist
Mali
Water vessel
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift made possible by Robert F. Bina and Delores De Wilde Bina, 2016.10.19
11. Unidentified Mossi Artist
Burkina Faso/Ghana
Vessel
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift, 2018.23.4
12. Unidentified Baule Artist
Côte d’Ivoire
Nzué Sé [water vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift made possible by Robert F. Bina and Delores De Wilde Bina, 2016.10.3
13. Unidentified Tonga Artist
Zimbabwe
Inongo/Nongo [water or beer vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, gift of Bill Simmons, 2019.11.32
14. Unidentified Nyanja/Chewa Artist
Mali/Tanzania
Liquid storage vessel
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift made possible by Robert F. Bina and Delores De Wilde Bina, 2016.10.11
15. Unidentified Zulu Artist
South Africa
Uphiso [water collection vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift made possible by Robert F. Bina and Delores De Wilde Bina, 2016.10.16
16. Unidentified South Sotho Artist
South Africa/Lesotho
Lefiso [beer drinking vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, gift of Silas Riep and Ellie Riep, 2016.3.3
17. Unidentified Fulani Artist
Guinea
Honey pot
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift in memory of Chris Roy, 2021.23.7
18.Unidentified Songye Artist
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mulundó / Mulondo [water vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift, 2018.23.30
19. Unidentified Kurumba Artist
Burkina Faso
Sim-baooré [storage vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift, 2018.23.6
20. Unidentified Bura Artist
Niger
Funeral effigy vessel
2oth century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, gift of Bill Simmons, 2019.11.14
21. Unidentified Bamana Artist
Mali
Dyifine [storage vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, gift of Bill Simmons, 2019.11.12
22. Unidentified Yoruba Artist
Nigeria/Kandi
Ìkòkò [ritual vessel for Shango]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift made possible by Robert F. Bina and Delores De Wilde Bina, 2016.10.13
23. Unidentified Kasena Artist
Burkina Faso
Ritual vessel
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift in memory of Chris Roy, 2021.23.1
24. Unidentified Kokedo Artist
Northern Uganda/South Sudan
Beer brewing vessel
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift made possible by Robert F. Bina and Delores De Wilde Bina, 2016.10.15
25. Unidentified Makonde Artist
Mozambique, Muede Plateau
Cholongo Chakumuto [liquid transport vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, gift of Robert F. Bina – Spillville, Iowa, and Delores De Wilde Bina – Charles City, Iowa, in honor of David Riep, 2016.9.1
CASE C
26. Unidentified Zulu Artist
South Africa
Ukhamba [beer drinking vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift, 2018.23.47
27. Unidentified Makonde Artist
Mozambique
Cholongo Chakumuto [liquid transport vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift, 2018.23.48
28. Unidentified Qua/Calabari Artist
Nigeria
Vessel
Pre-20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, gift of Bill Simmons, 2019.11.19
29. Unidentified Ikalango/Nyakusa Artist
Tanzania
Indeko [beer vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift made possible by Robert F. Bina and Delores De Wilde Bina, 2016.10.21
30. Unidentified Dogon Artist
Mali
Water vessel
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, gift of Bill Simmons, 2019.11.11
31. Unidentified Lobi Artist
Burkina Faso
Thil Blo Toultoul [shrine vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, gift of Bill Simmons, 2019.11.1
32. Unidentified Igala Artist
Nigeria
Angmor [water vessel]
20th century
Clay
Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, CSU, anonymous gift, 2018.23.16