Africa, southwest Niger, Bura Asinda-Sikka, ca. 3rd to 13th century CE. A fascinating earthenware figure showing a human head with a rounded face, segmented brows, an extremely tall nose with flared nostrils, and puffy lips. An elongated neck ending in a collar suggests that this piece perhaps had a hollow, bulbous body attached to it at one time. Little is known about this archaeological culture, whose type site was discovered and excavated only in the last few decades. It is a necropolis that was filled with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic terracotta figurines, frequently placed above inhumation-style burials; many of these burials had accompanying grave goods such as bronze jewellery, iron weapons, and glass beads (the latter indicating that this culture had trade ties across the Sahara with North Africa). Figures like this one are thought to represent individuals instead of being mass produced. Size: 2.5" W x 6.75" H (6.4 cm x 17.1 cm); 10.25" H (26 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: ex-private Tampa, Florida, USA collection; ex-private collection, acquired prior to 1990
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#147218
Condition
This is a fragment of a larger sculptural item. Head repaired from multiple pieces, with light restoration along some break lines. Small nicks and abrasions to collar, neck, and head, with softening to some finer details, and light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits throughout.