Africa, southwest Niger, Bura Asinda-Sikka, ca. 3rd to 13th centuries CE. A fascinating earthenware pottery figure showing a human head with a round, planar face, applied eyebrows, nose, and lips, and incised dots for eyes. An elongated neck ending in a collar suggests that this piece may have had a hollow, bulbous body attached to it at one time. Little is known about this archaeological culture, whose type site was discovered and excavated only in the last few decades. It is a necropolis that was filled with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic terracotta figurines, frequently placed above inhumation-style burials; many of these burials had accompanying grave goods such as bronze jewellery, iron weapons, and glass beads (the latter indicating that this culture had trade ties across the Sahara with North Africa). Figures like this one are thought to represent individuals rather than having been mass produced. Size: 2.9" W x 5.25" H (7.4 cm x 13.3 cm); 6.35" H (16.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: ex-Florida private collection, 1990s

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#139857

Intact, with a few tiny chips and nicks from surface commensurate with age. Very nice preservation of form.