Clay Nsodia Funerary Portrait Head Custom Stand Ghana African Art

Description

Title
Clay Nsodia Funerary Portrait Head Custom Stand Ghana African Art
Type of Object
Post
Country of Origin
Ghana
People
Akan People
Materials
Terracotta, clay
Approximate Age
20th century
Height (in)
8
Width (in)
4
Depth (in)
5
Other Dimensions
10 inch height on stand
Overall Condition
Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
Damage/Repair
cracks and chips
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Terracotta (baked clay) heads served as funerary portraits and memorials for the Akan peoples of Ghana and for the Agni and Krinjabo people who are coastal Akan in Cote d'Ivoire. The age of this interesting figure is unknown. I have not had this piece thermoluminescence tested for age, but can recommend a laboratory if you would like one.
These terracotta heads known as "nsodia" were placed in forest groves considered sacred. As stylized portraits, they represented the individual by the traits identified with them during their lifetime. For example, the normally reddish-brown color of the clay might have red or white lines added to the forehead to represent the individual's relationship to the mother's family.
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