Created by
Leigh, Simone, American, born 1967
Date
2011-2012
Medium
glazed terracotta stoneware
Dimensions
H x W x D: 6 7/8 × 15 3/4 × 7 7/8 in. (17.5 × 40 × 20 cm)
Description
A glazed, terracotta stoneware sculpture by Simone Leigh. The roughly egg-shaped piece is sculpted to resemble a large cowrie shell; with the flat ventral face forming the top of the sculpture, and the rounded dorsal face forming the bottom. The sculpture is uniformly coated with a dark, bluish gray glaze. The top portion of the sculpture has a textured surface covered in small, raised, irregular dots, and the bottom has a smooth surface. At the top center is a narrow aperture that extends from the thinner anterior end of the sculpture to the broader posterior end, between opposing rows of jagged teeth. The anterior end of the shell features a circular opening and the posterior end features a thin slit. On the bottom of the sculpture are areas of small losses and patches of white and blue glaze adhered to the surface. The interior is tan with brown speckles.
Place made
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Visual Arts
Type
terracottas
Topic
Art
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2023.117.4
Restrictions & Rights
© Simone Leigh
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e1945816-3463-413f-8e51-2e56669f6a90

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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