Hands and Bodies, Unsigned Studio Pottery Vessel felted wool and also retains its original

and also retains its original sale sticker indicating it was purchased at WM

Late-ish 19th century I believe

but think it's pretty perfect just as it is now

The back of the envelop with tape cross at center is pretty great looking too

from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Hands and Bodies, Unsigned Studio Pottery Vessel felted wool and also retains its originalI'm thinking this vessel likely once had a lid, which perhaps also functioned like a small tumbler the tapering of the top and undecorated area on one side seems to suggest that. But I have a feeling it's better this way anyway just a pure field of hands and silhouetted bodies interrupting each other in a sort of endless dance of stop and go (or Mother May I?) The only punctuation are two unpainted hands in low relief 3 4 of the way down either side;