Roulette for decorating pottery, made from plaited and twisted grass strips [RTS 25/5/2004].

Collection type: Object
Description: Roulette for decorating pottery, made from plaited and twisted grass strips [RTS 25/5/2004].
Long description: Roulette for decorating pottery made from a single, long strip of grass fibre, doubled over at the top and then plaited loosely together from the top down to form a concertina-like box chain. This method of production creates several twists down the length of the body. The ends have been roughly knotted together at the bottom. The roulette is complete and in good condition; it is currently a light orangey yellow colour (Pantone 7509C). It is 177 mm long, the strip is 5 mm wide and the roulette is 5.8 mm thick, with a weight of 0.4 grams [RTS 1/6/2004].
Geographical reference: South Sudan
Africa > Eastern Africa > South Sudan; Eastern Equatoria Tiringot
Cultural groups: Northern Laarim
Person: Field collector Patti Langton; PRM source Patti Langton
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1979
Date collected: 23 March 1979
Acquisition information: Purchased: 1979
Materials and processes: Material Grass Fibre Plant, Process Twisted, Process Tied
Dimensions: Length 177 mm, Width 5 mm strip, Thick 5.8 mm, Weight 0.4 g
Object numbers: Accession number: 1979.20.149 Other numbers: Langton Collection PL 20
Research and responses: For a similar grass roulette, used by the Moru Misa, see 1979.20.28. Different styles of grass roulette are also found in the collection; plaited grass strings (1979.20.125-6, from the Dinka Tuich), and string wrapped around sticks (1949.20.27, Moru Misa). For a Larim pottery vessel with rouletted decoration, see 1979.20.138 [RTS 24/3/2005].

Search terms: Tool, Pottery, Potter's Tool

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