Shrine figure of a seated dignitary ·  Ghana, Akan, Fante · ID: 3047130

Description

wood, pigments, glass, sheet silver,
The figure wears a splendidly decorated wrap skirt and lavish jewellery. The disproportionately large head is carved with an elaborate hairstyle. She sits on a stool “dwa”, which additionally rises above a small platform, whereby she is additionally “ennobled”. In any case she represents a woman of high rank or a priestess.

A figure, possibly by the same artist, reproduced under AHDRC 0051417, showing great similarity in the naturalistic facial features, as well as in the elaboration of details (hairstyle, jewellery, shoes, pillow-like base, stool).

The object Shrine figure of a seated dignitary with the object ID 3047130 was part of the auction 95th Tribal Art Auction on October 24, 2020. The object with the lot number 168 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,000 with an asking price of EUR 2,500.

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Publications

Cole, Herbert M. & Doran H. Ross, The Arts of Ghana, Los Angeles 1977, p. 113, Fig. 231

Exhibition

Los Angeles: Frederick S. Wight Gallery, University of California, October 11-December 11, 1977; Minneapolis, Missesota: Walker Art Center, February 11-March 26, 1978; Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, May 3-July 2, 1978