Funerary Effigy

1972.07.0006

Thumbnail of Funerary Effigy (1972.07.0006)

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Basic Information

Artifact Identification Funerary Effigy   (1972.07.0006)
Classification/
Nomenclature
  1. Communication Artifacts
  2. :
  3. Ceremonial Artifacts
  4. :
  5. Funerary Objects
Artist/Maker None
Geographic Location
Period/Date Colonial, 19th century
Culture Asante, Ashanti, Akan

Physical Analysis

Dimension 1 (Height) 30.0 cm
Dimension 2 (Width) 15.0 cm
Dimension 3 (Depth) 14.2 cm
Weight 2202 g
Measuring Remarks None
Materials Ceramic--Terracotta
Manufacturing Processes Handbuilding, Firing, Incising
Munsell Color Information Grayish Brown (7.5 Y R 4/2) -ns

Research Remarks

Published Description

HONORING THE DECEASED: Portraits of the deceased are sculpted in ceramic by Akan women. The portraits may be just the head, a face sculpted onto a pottery lid or vessel, or a whole body, sometimes seated. The portraits of the deceased are placed in a sacred grove near the village but separate from the actual graves, where they are cared for by descendents. (6) The knots on the head of this funerary sculpture may represent the hair style of the deceased. Ashanti. 72.7.6.

Description N/A
Comparanda N/A
Bibliography

Vogel, Susan. For Spirits and Kings. Metropolitan Museum of Art: 1981. pp. 78-81. Cole, Herbert M. and Doran H. Ross. The Arts of Ghana. Los Angeles: University of California, 1977. Fleishman, Jacquelyn N. "Continuity and Control: Art in Some West African Societies" (unpub. catalog, on file)

Artifact History

Archaeological Data N/A
Credit Line/Dedication Gift of Norman and Carole Thomas
Reproduction no
Reproduction Information N/A

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