Title:
Seated Female Grave Marker
Object Name:
Grave Marker, Seated, Female
Other Name:
Grave Marker, Seated, Female, Clay
Place of Origin:
Koma, Ghana, Africa
Provenance:
Aboriginal Indigenous Art.
H = 7"
W = 4"
D = 4"
Memorial terracottas were created by female artists to honor deceased chiefs and other important elders, both male and female.
400 year history of terracotta funerary sculpture.
Original appraisal states — Koma, Zaire. Handwritten change to — Koma, Ghana.
Original appraisal states — Ca. 6th Century A.D.
Handwritten change to — 13th to 16th Century.
The archaeological site of Koma in northern Ghana was discovered in 1985. The Komaland culture centres around this site, where archaeologists and looters found numerous circular tumuli dating from around the 16th century. Within each tumulus, metal objects, terracotta vessels and figures, as well as human bones, were found.
The zoomorphic and anthropomorphic terracotta figures, ranging in height from 5 to 40 cm, show a highly original style with deformed features and large open mouths.
H = 7"
W = 4"
D = 4"
Memorial terracottas were created by female artists to honor deceased chiefs and other important elders, both male and female.
400 year history of terracotta funerary sculpture.
Original appraisal states — Koma, Zaire. Handwritten change to — Koma, Ghana.
Original appraisal states — Ca. 6th Century A.D.
Handwritten change to — 13th to 16th Century.
The archaeological site of Koma in northern Ghana was discovered in 1985. The Komaland culture centres around this site, where archaeologists and looters found numerous circular tumuli dating from around the 16th century. Within each tumulus, metal objects, terracotta vessels and figures, as well as human bones, were found.
The zoomorphic and anthropomorphic terracotta figures, ranging in height from 5 to 40 cm, show a highly original style with deformed features and large open mouths.
Description:
Seated female grave marker with flat open concaved head on top, pointed chin, donut—shaped eyes, small nose, thick neck. Cylindrical bent arms attached to bent knees, large feet with toes, large navel, small protruding breasts. Light tan with dark brown sedimentary material on arms, breasts and legs.
Collection:
Finley Collection
Material:
Clay or Terracotta
Used:
Ritually Used
Technique:
Pottery
Owned:
Art Department, Missouri Southern State University
Accession#:
2014.1.96
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Front View
Right Side View
Left Side View
Rear View
Front View, Close-Up
Front View
Right Side View
Left Side View
Rear View
Front View, Close-Up