Tall African Bura Asinda-Sikka Terracotta Funerary Urn
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Description
West Africa, Mali / Niger, Bura Asinda-Sikka culture, ca. 3rd to 11th century CE. A tall phalliform terracotta urn with a petite round base, a cylindrical body, a lightly-corseted shoulder, and a flared rim. The exterior has three small holes pierced through the lower body, and the entire vessel is covered in dozens of raised vertical columns textured with dozens of small notched grooves. Vessels like this example were buried with their openings faced downwards, filled with belongings (cloth remnants and other objects), teeth, and some bones of the deceased. This traditional ritual demonstrates the Bura belief in the continuation of fruitfulness from birth to life to death to rebirth. Examples like this were initially discovered in 1975, many by farmers who were preparing their fields. Hence many Bura urns were accidentally broken by shovels before serious archaeological excavations began in 1983. Lucite display stand included. Size: 6.125" W x 13.5" H (15.6 cm x 34.3 cm).
Provenance: private California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#145835
Provenance: private California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#145835
Condition
Base repaired from multiple pieces with light restoration and resurfacing along break lines. Small nicks and abrasions to rim, body, and base, and softening to some raised details. Nice earthen deposits throughout.
Buyer's Premium
- 24.5%
Tall African Bura Asinda-Sikka Terracotta Funerary Urn
Estimate $800 - $1,200
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Item located in Louisville, CO, usSee Policy for Shipping
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