I've purposely photographed our fruit bowl with not too much fruit in order to show the pattern.
I wondered if anybody could tell me anything about its provenance. It used to hang on Ray's mum's wall as a decorative ornament and we've always understood that one of his two aunties who were missionaries in Africa brought it back from Ghana.
I shall send the link to my pal who is an artist in SA and see if she has any bright ideas. It certainly does have a Portuguese look to that lovely paintwork.
@quietpurplehaze This is the response I had from my artist friend in SA. I queried whether it was Portuguese or Ghanan indiginous art etc. Hope you find it interesting:
"My dear, you are 100% correct - it does look Portuguese. And it could be from Ghana - this plate could have been an import ātradeā goods from Portugal. Portuguese sailors were openly trading in the whole of Africa in exchange for Tobacco, sugar cane, coffee. Diamonds and Gold.
African painting was never so symetrical and they didnāt use those colours. They still donāt.
Their colours are more earthy. Yellow ochre burnt Siena, red ochre, white chalk wash. and black.
This plate may have been purchased in Africa - but does not have any African attributes at all.
Another very European - non African attribute is the rim.
This plate has a neat, clear cut, thin rim. Definitely European.
African pottery does not sport such an advanced potting skill as a rim. Which you need a Potterās wheel to achieve
African pottery attributes more to the gourds or calabashes found in nature and emptied of seeds, used to carry water. Deep round bowls with uneven finished edges.
Thank you so much for all this information which is indeed very interesting
and makes perfect sense. Please do thank your friend very much from Ray and myself. I shall tell Rayās sister about it too when we see her in Suffolk and I know she will be interested.
May 20th, 2018
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That's so kind, thank you!
"My dear, you are 100% correct - it does look Portuguese. And it could be from Ghana - this plate could have been an import ātradeā goods from Portugal. Portuguese sailors were openly trading in the whole of Africa in exchange for Tobacco, sugar cane, coffee. Diamonds and Gold.
African painting was never so symetrical and they didnāt use those colours. They still donāt.
Their colours are more earthy. Yellow ochre burnt Siena, red ochre, white chalk wash. and black.
This plate may have been purchased in Africa - but does not have any African attributes at all.
Another very European - non African attribute is the rim.
This plate has a neat, clear cut, thin rim. Definitely European.
African pottery does not sport such an advanced potting skill as a rim. Which you need a Potterās wheel to achieve
African pottery attributes more to the gourds or calabashes found in nature and emptied of seeds, used to carry water. Deep round bowls with uneven finished edges.
Thatās my take on it xxx "
Thank you so much for all this information which is indeed very interesting
and makes perfect sense. Please do thank your friend very much from Ray and myself. I shall tell Rayās sister about it too when we see her in Suffolk and I know she will be interested.