Akan Head

Akan memorial heads have a history dating to before the 16th century. They are are generalized portraits of an deceased notable, here a woman with a partially shaven head and elaborate asymmetrical coiffure. Such heads were placed in variety of locations although never at the grave site: in sacred groves or indoor shrines where they were the focus of libations and ritual sacrifice. This beautiful example (Yale #114700) is likely by the same hand as one published in Arts d’Afrique Noire, no.83, 1992. A similar example is published in”African Tribal Images: The Katherine White Reswick Collection”, by William Fagg The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1968: #96; an example identified by the late Roy Sieber as coming from the Adansi-Fomena area of (Ghana) around the year 1850. The snail shaped knobs on the head represent gold hair ornaments worn by royalty. 9.5″. Custom base.

Inquire About This Item