African Dance

Oliver Hilliard Booth III, African Dance, 1988, black walnut, 8 ¹⁄₂ x 17 ¹⁄₄ in. (21.7 x 43.9 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of George Peter Lamb and Lucy Scardino in memory of Natalie Rust Lamb, 1995.100.2

Artwork Details

Title: African Dance
Artist: Oliver Hilliard Booth III
Date: 1988
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 8 ¹⁄₂ x 17 ¹⁄₄ in. (21.7 x 43.9 cm) diam.
Credit Line: Gift of George Peter Lamb and Lucy Scardino in memory of Natalie Rust Lamb
Mediums: black walnut
Mediums Description: black walnut
Classifications: Decorative Arts
Object Number: 1995.100.2
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1995.100.2

Artwork Description

Hilliard Booth turned and sanded his vessels before applying designs in pencil. He meticulously carved the details into the wood with a fine tool, taking many hours to complete a single carving. Groups of tiny cutouts follow the same direction around the vessels: in African Dance they form a ribbon around the center, and in Bowl (see 2003.60.3) they flow down from the opening in textured waves.