Three-mouthed water storage pot (Manus) 2016

Pottery-making traditions are limited to areas in Papua New Guinea where suitable clay deposits may be found. Early colonisation of various coastal and island provinces of Papua and New Guinea by the Lapita peoples introduced paddle and anvil and slab-building techniques, which were traditionally found in Admiralty (Manus) Islands. Made predominantly by women, pots from Manus typically have round bases, thin walls and a full-bellied, ‘female’ form. Pots used for storing water were created in a variety of forms including the squat chepoung or japon. The two mouths found on these vessels separate the opening used for filling from that used to drink or pour. Intrigued by this technology, Gole has created her own water storage pot, referencing the distinctive small-necked openings and decorative lines found on the Manus pots.