Ancient African Stone Head, Bura, Mali Border
Dating from the 3rd to 11th century, this prized stone carved example comes from upper Burkina Faso over into the south western Malian region. This enigmatic stone object was made by one of Africa’s most inscrutable groups, the Bura. It comprises a thick, straight columnar staff that flares slightly then dramatically at the top, giving rise to a pallet shaped head with sternly reductivist features. The eyes are round coffee- bean format, either side of a strong, jutting nose that runs the full length of the face. The mouth is also in the form of a coffee bean. As excavated, untouched and in nice burial condition.
The Bura are a true paradox: almost nothing is known of this shadowy Nigerian/Malian group. They appear to have originated in the first half of the first millennium AD, although the only archaeologically-excavated site (Nyamey) dates between the 14th and 16th centuries. They are contemporary with the Djenne Kingdom, the Koma, the Teneku and a satellite culture known as the InlandThe Bura were sedentary agriculturists who buried their dead in tall, conical urns that were often decorated with incisions, and sometimes surmounted by small figures. Their best-known art form is radically reductivist anthropomorphic stone statues, with heads rendered as squares, triangles and ovals, with the body suggested by a columnar, monolithic shape beneath. This form finds fuller expression in phallomorphic objects that may have been staffs, perhaps regalia pertaining to leaders. Complex ceramic heads are also known, with incised decoration and variable treatment of facial proportions and features. There are a few very rare equestrian figures: these bear some resemblance to Djenne pieces.This outstanding Bura piece is unusually complex, and is a striking and attractive piece of ancient art from one of Africa’s great lost civilizations. Niger Delta, and, like them, have extensive ceramic and stone sculptural traditions. 12" height