Lot of 3 Terracotta Storage Urns — Slip-Banded, Roulette, North African

Three wheel-thrown terracotta storage urns in a form consistent with traditional North African utilitarian pottery, most likely Moroccan Berber in origin. Each vessel presents a wide-mouthed cylindrical neck swelling to a rounded shoulder before tapering sharply to a conical lower body, terminating in a compact stub foot. This stub-foot profile is a hallmark of vessels traditionally set into packed earth or sand for stability — a functional solution seen across centuries of North African and Mediterranean pottery production. Horizontal bands of cream slip alternate with exposed red-firing terracotta clay across the neck and upper body. Two encircling roulette-impressed bands — one below the rim and one at the shoulder-to-body transition — divide the vessel's structural zones. Roulette-impressed decoration in African pottery is applied before firing, making it among the most permanent and enduring of ornamental techniques. The three pieces vary noticeably in scale and finish, consistent with individual hand-production rather than mold casting.

Berber potters of northern Morocco perpetuate an ancient tradition of wheel-thrown and modeled pottery with techniques traceable to approximately 6,000 BC. Vessels of this type served core household roles: the large porous-walled jabia kept water cool through evaporation, while the abukal form stored dry goods such as sugar, honey, and spices. Because each piece was shaped from locally sourced clay and fired individually, meaningful variation in surface color, texture, and character is expected and inherent to the tradition. This group of three presents well as a massed sculptural installation and carries strong appeal for hospitality, garden, and interior design placement.

CONDITION

Good overall, with age-appropriate wear consistent with utilitarian origin. All three pieces show surface scuffing and minor chips across the body and rim areas. At least one specimen presents visible hairline cracks running several inches through the lower body below the roulette band; a secondary rough-textured area with surface cracking is present near the stub foot on one piece. Reference images document both areas in detail.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

Vessel 1

• Height: 19"
• Diameter: 11"
• Weight: 12 lbs 15 oz

Vessel 2

• Height: 19½"
• Diameter: 11"
• Weight: 12 lbs 6 oz

Vessel 3

• Height: 23"
• Diameter: 13"
• Weight: 18 lbs

All Three

• Material: Unglazed terracotta
• Construction: Wheel-thrown, two-part form
• Decoration: Cream slip banding; roulette-impressed bands at shoulder and neck
• Origin: Consistent with North African / Moroccan Berber tradition
• Sold as a lot of 3