Pot with Figures and Horses c. 19th century

This pot with figures and horses was made by an artist of the Frafra people, using clay. The Frafra, who live in Northern Ghana and Southern Burkina Faso, are known for their pottery, especially their large storage pots. But the narrative scenes that decorate this one are unusual. What can they tell us about Frafra society? The prominent figures of horses and riders suggest an equestrian elite, able to project their power through ownership of these valuable animals. The image thus refers to the hierarchical social structure of the Frafra. As historians, we can look at travel writing, colonial records, and anthropological studies to confirm this reading of the artwork. We might also research the local economics of the Frafra people, which might reveal how wealth is accumulated. In these ways, the meaning of art becomes contingent on social and institutional contexts.