Details
ITEM NAME:
Akan Commemorative Head
ITEM #:
4098
ETHNICITY:
Akan
ORIGIN:
Ghana
MEDIUM:
Terracotta.
DIMENSIONS:
5.5″ (14 cm) Tall.
CONDITION:
Good.
PROVENANCE:
Private Collection – Florida, USA.
CATALOGUE NOTE:
Behold the splendor of African heritage with this exquisite terracotta head, a regal nsodie—a memorial portrait celebrating the legacy of an Akan leader from the vibrant regions of southern Ghana or southeastern Côte d’Ivoire. This masterfully crafted artifact embodies the tranquility and poise befitting royalty, with its harmonious facial features and signature striated neck.
Commissioned posthumously, the portrait stands as a venerated tribute within the asensie, a consecrated area in the cemetery reserved for commemorating the esteemed lineage of rulers. Surrounded by sculptures of loyal attendants, this nsodie joins the assembly of royal predecessors to offer continuous guardianship and counsel from the realm beyond.
Depicting a storied tradition dating back to at least the seventeenth century, this piece strikes a remarkable balance between realism and stylization. The sensitive carving of the mouth, aquiline nose, and expressive eyes highlights an impressive level of naturalism. This particular sculpture, focusing on the head and neck, evokes the essence of the individual it represents, while other nsodie may present more complete forms.
Historically tied to the creative domain of women, the use of clay in African art signifies a profound appreciation of feminine artistry. Nineteenth-century European explorers recorded life-size funerary figures sculpted by female Akan artists, suggesting a long-standing matriarchal influence in the crafting of such meaningful representations.
For the discerning collector of African art, this nsodie (Akan Commemorative Head) is more than a mere object—it is a lasting token of regal history, a tangible connection to powerful ancestries, and a piece of cultural reverence expertly shaped by the hands of ancestral artisans. Add this timeless piece to your collection and honor the rich traditions of African leadership and creativity.
