TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities "Altering The Way You View The World Of Art" |
Type of Object:
- Bura Grave Marker
This highly stylized and extraordinarily preserved terracotta
(baked clay) figure comes from a region composed of three major
sites at Bura, Asinda or Sikka in the countries of Burkina Faso
and Niger.
Stylistically this figure could be located to the greater Bura
complex. Abstracted figures such as this were found in burials
and have been dated to a range of years from the 3rd to the 11th
centuries.
The eyes, mouth, nose, and ears have been modeled and are well
defined. There appears to be a headdress or unique hairstyle
portrayed. The figure is hollow and was created as though one
would shape a pot, tapering it to the head and adding the various
surfaces embellishments.
This sculpture is a classic example of the raised geometric
design of early art coming from this recently discovered culture
that is spread over parts of Burkina Faso and Niger. Therefore
these terra cotta sculpture mark rituals no longer practiced and art
forms now long forgotten. This would be a major addition to any
collection.
- Bura Society
- Burkina Faso
Niger
- 23" high
