Kneeling female figure, ca. 1500 AD · Mali, Djenne · ID: 3040448
Koller, Zurich, 23 June 2007, lot 203
Description
beige terracotta, elongated leg zone, raised tattoos on the temples, adorned with necklace in shape of a snake and incised bracelets, small deepenings in pairs at shoulders, back and lap possibly for insertion of blood sacrifices, slightly dam., missing parts (right shoulder, left side of the body);
the old town of Djenne “Jenne-jeno” was founded at around 800. In the region of this city terracotta statues had been found since 1943, which were called “Djenne” after their main archaeological site. Scientific analysis date the findings between the beginning of the 11th and the end of the 17th century. There is speculation about the creators of these figures and it is believed that they were peoples of the old Ghana kingdom, who immigrated to the area of the Niger delta.
Expertise
Thermoluminescence Test, 08.02.1988
Comparing literature
Publications
Arnold Bamert, Afrika, Stammeskunst in Urwald und Savanne, Olten 1980, p. 41; C.Guimont, Arts d' Afrique noire 1978, p. 12Notices
This object is subject to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Export documents are required for export (subjected to a fee).