In the valleys of northern Ghana, the remains of a
mysterious, vanished culture have been emerging
from ancient burial mounds. As in many ancient
civilizations in both old and new worlds, the
burials are accompanied by terracotta sculptures
that reveal much about the people who created
them. The bold expressionism and appreciation
for the human form that characterizes these
works are unique in the canon of African art. This
marvelous figure portrays a sitting female with
bold facial expression. She stares strait ahead
with a sense of determination, and she appears
to be dignified and proud. The top of the figure's
head shows a hollow indentation, which suggests
that perhaps this sculpture served both functional
and for artistic purposes. Moreover, the sculptor
of this figure incorporated details such as the
necklace, bracelets, and loincloth decorated with
incision marks to enhance the sculptural quality
and the feminine beauty of the figure. Although
the figure seems esoteric to us, we certainly
appreciate the visual aesthetics and mystery of
this wonderful sculpture. As we look into this
unique figure, we wonder about this ancient
culture and its fascinating world of art.
- (PF.1850)
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