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Overview
A terracotta memorial head in the Akan tradition of Ghana. The head rises to a tall, tapering conical crown above a calm face. A raised brow line runs across the forehead over narrow, half-closed eyes, with a long straight nose and full lips slightly parted. The surface is a weathered earthy buff with grey patches, and lighter orange clay shows where the surface has worn away on the nose, left eye and lips. It is mounted on a metal pin set into a black block base and suits a shelf, desk or mantel, or a collection of African terracotta.
About Age and Authenticity
This piece comes from a collection lot (ex Barnes). It has not been thermoluminescence (TL) tested. We make no claim about its age and sell it as is. Buyers are welcome to arrange their own TL testing.
Background
Akan peoples in southern Ghana have a long tradition of terracotta memorial heads and figures made to honor the dead. These heads were traditionally made by women potters and often show calm, idealized faces. This head is a fragment broken from a larger piece and is unmarked. It is from an ex Barnes collection batch (Jerald Barnes, an American collector who lived in West Africa for over a decade).
Condition
A fragment with an open break at the neck, where the clay shows a fresher orange color. There is some filler at the base of the head around the mounting pin. The surface is weathered, with wear to the high points of the face, earth deposits in the recesses and darker grey patina on the back of the head. Please see all photos.
Dimensions & Weight
The head is about 5.5 x 4 x 3.5 inches (H x W x D), and about 8 inches high on its base. The head and base together weigh about 2 lb 8.8 oz.
Shipping
Free standard shipping within the US, packed securely.
