Figure of colonial district officer ·  Ghana, Akan, Nana Osei Bonsu of Kumasi (1900-1977) · ID: 3050107

Description

wood, bright colors, metal,

This figure is published in the standard work on Ghanaian art by Herbert Cole and Doran Ross (1977, p. 177) in a photograph from 1976. It was part of a display ensemble of “ntan” figures carved by Osei Bonsu in 1933. Another figure from this ensemble, “the prisoner”, was auctioned by Zemanek-Münster on 15 November 2008.

Nana Osei Bonsu of Kumasi (1900-1977) was the best known Ashanti artist and court carver to the Asantehene.

The figure ensembles generally feature a “queen mother”, a chief, a colonial district officer, a policeman, a prisoner, and bell ringers. These figures are often doweled onto a table with an elaborate carpentered tree. The whole forms a stage set that is put in place near the drum at the beginning of the performance and taken down when it is over. The figures have no other function than to enhance the display.

“Ntan” bands were popular among the Asante peoples of Ghana between the 1920s and 1950s. They performed on occasions such as naming ceremonies, weddings, funerals and traditional festivals—on any occasion where entertainment was needed. This is in contrast to other musical instruments and performances that were reserved for the court.

The object Figure of colonial district officer with the object ID 3050107 was part of the auction 101st Auction on November 11, 2023. The object with the lot number 238 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,900 with an asking price of EUR 1,200.

You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.

Publications

Cole, Herbert M. & Doran H. Ross, The Arts of Ghana, Los Angeles 1977, p. 177; Cole, Herbert M., Maternity, Brussels 2017, p. 220; Doran H. Ross, "The Art of Osei Bonsu", in: African Arts, February 1984, Vol. XVII, No 2, p. 31, ill 4

AHDRC: 0208220