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 Sculpture circa 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
These expertly vetted sellers are highly rated and consistently exceed customer expectations.
1stDibs seller since 2018
72 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Paris, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Colonial West African Baule Baoule Figure Sculpture Woman wearing loinclothLocated in Norwich, GBAn 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
MaterialsWood
- African art tribal maternity figure, Lobi peoples Ghana - Ivory CoastLocated in Norwich, GBA 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
MaterialsWood
- Mythological scene: naked male rider and his dog French relief sculpture carvingLocated in Norwich, GBAn early French wooden panel carved in bas relief, depicting a muscular male nude rider, accompanied by his dog. Sculpted in honey-coloured wood, this antique piece, dates from the ...Category
19th Century Northern Renaissance Nude Sculptures
MaterialsWood Panel
- Outsider artist singular virgin and child art brut sculpture mother and childLocated in Norwich, GBAn 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
MaterialsMetal
- Medieval enthroned Virgin and Child Sedes Sapientiae acephalic granit sculptureLocated in Norwich, GBThey 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
MaterialsGranite
- Friendship, comfort: hand modelled sculpture by Polish Jewish French artistLocated in Norwich, GBAn extraordinary depiction of friendship and comfort by Polish Jewish sculptor Michal Michael Milberger. Milberger was born in Warsaw in 1922. His artis...Category
Late 20th Century French School Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsPlaster
You May Also Like
- Coffee JarBy Mariko Brown HarkinLocated in Kansas City, MOTitle : 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
MaterialsTerracotta, Slip, Glaze
- Seated Figure Clay SculptureBy Walter BastianettoLocated in Delray Beach, FLSeated Figure Modern Pre Columbian style, large sculpture edition 21/30, artist signed. Walter Bastianetto is an Italian born sculptor who moved to Mexico in the 1970s and resided ...Category
1990s Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsClay, Terracotta, Oil
- Head Of A Warrior Large Clay SculptureBy Walter BastianettoLocated in Delray Beach, FLHead of a warrior. Modern Pre Columbian style clay, terracotta sculpture artist signed on the right bottom. Walter Bastianetto is an Italian born sculptor who moved to Mexico in the...Category
1990s Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsClay, Terracotta
- Seated Woman With Child Terra-Cotta SculptureBy Walter BastianettoLocated in Delray Beach, FLSeated 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
MaterialsClay, Terracotta, Oil
- Terracotta Happy Man SculptureBy Walter BastianettoLocated in Delray Beach, FLLarge Pre Columbian style clay, terracotta sculpture Limited Edition 6/30, signed. Walter Bastianetto, was born in Venice Italy. He graduate of...Category
1980s Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsClay, Terracotta
- Mother Holding Baby Large Clay Sculpture Pre Columbian StyleBy Walter BastianettoLocated in Delray Beach, FLMother Holding Baby, large terra-cotta and clay sculpture. Modern Pre Columbian style large sculpture edition 1/30, artist signed. Walter Bastian...Category
1990s Modern Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsClay, Terracotta
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Sculpture Stand
Antique Well Head
Antique Metal Sculpture
Antique Metal Sculptures
Antique Clay
Small Head Sculpture
Antique African Art African
Antique African Art
African Art Antique
African Antique Art
Head Metal Sculpture
Clay Head
Female Head Sculpture
Antique Clay Art
Terracotta Head
Nineteenth Century Sculpture
Sculptures 21century
Mid Century Clay Sculpture