Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;2manybooks, post: 4507557, member: 8267&quot;]I agree that it looks African. But I am having trouble placing the combination of features more specifically. It is unusual to find a disembodied, apparently free standing head. Full figures are much more common. I can&#039;t see any evidence on the bottom of the neck that would suggest it was cut off of a larger figure, or any means of attaching it to something else for use as a &quot;crest mask&quot; (smaller sculptures attached to the top of a dance mask). It is not in the style of a reliquary head such as the Fang (Gabon) make. </p><p><br /></p><p>The detail of the facial features are too worn to make out clearly, and these would be important clues to style/origin.</p><p><br /></p><p>The hair crest reminds me most of a style traditionally worn by Fulani women:</p><p>[ATTACH=full]395176[/ATTACH] But the Fulani are not noted carvers.</p><p><br /></p><p>Somewhat similar crests are depicted in some Bamana/Bambara (Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, &amp; Guinea)and Senufo (Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast) figures:</p><p>[ATTACH=full]395209[/ATTACH]</p><p><a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/310780" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/310780" rel="nofollow">https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/310780</a></p><p><br /></p><p>But the Bamana and Senufo styles use narrowed eyes. The eyes on your head seem to be broad and open.</p><p><br /></p><p>You can also see similar crests in Yoruba (Nigeria) art, as well as Punu (Gabon):</p><p><img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQTkJhFyvlu1583CXGEJ9X8gPoKfPld7tkE6WKO0ZO5m16i-aIS5V8i7XfFa6qBsqq2vi0&amp;usqp=CAU" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><a href="https://www.finch-and-co.co.uk/artwork-detail/813896/18682/fine-west-african-yoruba-seated-maternity" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.finch-and-co.co.uk/artwork-detail/813896/18682/fine-west-african-yoruba-seated-maternity" rel="nofollow">https://www.finch-and-co.co.uk/artwork-detail/813896/18682/fine-west-african-yoruba-seated-maternity</a></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://assets.catawiki.nl/assets/2018/1/30/9/f/9/9f9767d6-e76a-4ccd-91a7-775cb4a8aa76.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><a href="https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/16518777-punu-guardian-figure-of-a-family-clan" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/16518777-punu-guardian-figure-of-a-family-clan" rel="nofollow">https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/16518777-punu-guardian-figure-of-a-family-clan</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Both Yoruba and Punu styles often include the more open eyes that seem to appear on your piece. </p><p><br /></p><p>Another feature that puzzles me is the subtle detail on the neck. I would expect a simple cylindrical neck, or one with horizontal folds (a feature suggesting plumpness that some groups find attractive). But that v-shaped detail is unusual.</p><p><br /></p><p>Of course, there is the possibility that I am having trouble placing it because it comes from someplace other than Africa.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in