Items Similar to Akan Ashanti Memorial Portrait Head of a Noble Tribal African Art Sculpture
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
UnknownAkan Ashanti Memorial Portrait Head of a Noble Tribal African Art Sculpturecirca 1850
circa 1850
About the Item
This elegant terracotta head is a memorial portrait (nsodie) of an Akan nobleman from the part of Africa which is today southern Ghana and southeastern Côte d'Ivoire. It is an idealised representation whose serene, joyful expression and well-balanced features suggest the positive qualities. Created posthumously, effigies like this one were placed alongside the portraits of rulers in sacred areas. At certain times of the year, the asensie was the focus of prayers, libations, and other offerings that ensured the continuing support and protection of the ancestors.
Sculptures associated with this tradition, which dates to at least the seventeenth century, were produced in a number of regional styles.
In much of Africa, clay/terracotta is an artistic medium primarily associated with women. European visitors to this region in the mid-nineteenth century documented a related Akan tradition of life size funerary sculpture crafted by female artists. Although earlier accounts did not identify the makers of these smaller memorial heads, it is probable that they were created by female sculptors as well.
Much of the above information is taken from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, who I would like to credit.
Our Hear is presented on a simple custom metal display stand. The overall height including the stand is 21 cm/ 8 1/4 inches.
- Creation Year:circa 1850
- Dimensions:Height: 5.12 in (13 cm)Width: 5.12 in (13 cm)Depth: 3.94 in (10 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:An ancient object, wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses, notable to headdress. Patina and losses from exposure and age.
- Gallery Location:Norwich, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU99136867402
About the Seller
5.0
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
1stDibs seller since 2018
89 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Paris, France
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllColonial West African Baule Baoule Figure Sculpture Woman wearing loincloth
Located in Norwich, GB
An elegant African sculpture from the West African Baoulé or Baule people, depicting a young woman wearing a loincloth. Smooth black lightly worn patina.
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
La Parisienne: Art Nouveau Belle Epoque young lady with a gleam in here eye
Located in Norwich, GB
A lovely hand modelled sculpture in bas relief, depicting the head of a smiling young Parisian lady with a gleam in her eyes. The work dates from from the Belle Epoque, the art nouv...
Category
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta, Wood Panel
African art tribal maternity figure, Lobi peoples Ghana - Ivory Coast
Located in Norwich, GB
A delightful African maternity figure from the Lobi peoples of the Ivory Coast/Ghana. With a serene yet feisty expression, the mother is carry...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Leda and the Swan modernist mid century sculpture by French woman artist
Located in Norwich, GB
A unique piece: a hand modelled sculpture by French artist Jeannine Nathan (b.1924). Working in Paris, Jeannine was able to visit Picasso’s studio, and was impressed by the
Master’s ...
Category
1960s Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Outsider artist singular virgin and child art brut sculpture mother and child
Located in Norwich, GB
An extraordinarily moving piece by an outsider artist who must have spent many a day conceiving, cutting, hammering, soldering and welding this stunning metal group made of tin and iron. The result is something completely individualistic, which at the same time recalls early medieval...
Category
Mid-20th Century Outsider Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Medieval enthroned Virgin and Child Sedes Sapientiae acephalic granit sculpture
Located in Norwich, GB
They may be damaged and battered, but real historic objects will always give you a sense of awe. Can you sense it, looking at this ancient carved granite which depicts, as it is call...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Medieval Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Granite
You May Also Like
Indian Art Pottery Buddha Large Charger Swans Flowers Art India 19th Century
Located in Norfolk, GB
A fabulous and rare large 19th century Bombay Pottery Charger from the J J School of Art, depicting scenes of Buddha from the Ajanta caves.
Bombay Scho...
Category
1870s Other Art Style More Art
Materials
Clay, Terracotta, Paint, Glaze
Mother Holding Baby Large Clay Sculpture Pre Columbian Style
By Walter Bastianetto
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Mother Holding Baby, large terra-cotta and clay sculpture.
From the Totonaca culture (state of Veracruz).
Modern Pre Columbian style large sculpt...
Category
1990s Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Terracotta, Resin
Head Of A Warrior Large Clay Sculpture
By Walter Bastianetto
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Head of a warrior.
From the Totonaca culture (state of Veracruz) created about 1982.
Modern Pre Columbian style clay, terracotta sculpture artist signed on the right bottom.
Walter...
Category
1980s Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Terracotta
Seated Figure Clay Sculpture
By Walter Bastianetto
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Seated Figure
Modern Pre Columbian style, large sculpture edition 21/30, artist signed.
This one was made approximately between 1982/83. Walter started making giant size copies of ...
Category
1980s Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Terracotta, Oil
Seated Woman With Child Terra-Cotta Sculpture
By Walter Bastianetto
Located in Lake Worth Beach, FL
Seated Mother And Child,
Modern Pre Columbian style large sculpture edition 1/30, artist signed.
Walter Bastianetto is an Italian born sculptor who moved to Mexico in the 1970s an...
Category
1990s Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Terracotta, Oil
Coffee Jar
By Mariko Brown Harkin
Located in Kansas City, MO
Title : Coffee Jar
Materials : Terracotta, slips, terra sigillata, glaze
Date : 2017
Dimensions : 6x7.5x7.5
Description : Wheel thrown and altered, terracot...
Category
2010s Contemporary Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta, Slip, Glaze
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique European Sculpture
Antique Metal Sculpture
Small Head Sculpture
Head Metal Sculpture
Antique Clay Art
Clay Head
Female Head Sculpture
African Clay
Terracotta Head
Mid Century African Sculpture
African Head Sculpture
Sculpture Head Terracotta
Prayer Sculpture
Tribal African Art Sculpture
Antique Terracotta Head
Antique Effigy
Antique Prayer Stand
Ashanti Art