Lot 179: Janus terracotta funerary head

Akan; Twifo-Hemeng, Ghana; H: 10 1/2"

The head of unusual Janus form, the faces in classical style with raised coffee-bean eyes, small noses and simple mouths, the neck with concentric rings. The surface with remains of encrustation. Fine patina.

Comments:
Memorial heads such as this example have at least a 400-year heritage among the Akan of Ghana where they represent the retainers or a generalized portrait of an important elder, either male or female. They were not positioned on the grave, but placed either in a sacred grove close to the cemetery or in a shrine or stool room where libations and sacrifices were occasionally offered and rituals were performed. Janus heads of this type are rare. Based on stylistic characteristics, this head may be attributed to the so-called Twifo-Hemeng. This example was Thermo-luminescence tested and yielded a date of 140 +/- 30 b.p.

Provenance:
- Zollman Collection, IND
- Gelbard collection, NY

Publication History:
Remnants of Ritual: Selections from the Gelbard collection of African Art (2003) Bourgeois & Rodolitz; Pg. 14, Fig. 31

Exhibition History:
Exhibition History: USA: "Remnants of Ritual, Selections from the Gelbard Collection of African Art":
- University Park, IL: Governors State University, February 2003
- Krannert, IL: Krannert Art Museum, 26 August-26 October, 2003
- Kansas City, MO: Belger Art Foundation/UNIVERSITY of Missouri-
Kansas City, 2004
- Park Forest, IL: Tall Grass Art Association, 2005

Price Realized: $2,900

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