Africa, Bura / Asinda/ Sikka area, present day Niger and Burkina Faso, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. This is a heavy, painted stone funerary marker decorated with incised designs and with the bulging eyes, long thin nose, and mouth very clear. The figure appears to be female but lacks prominent sexual characteristics so may be androgynous. Unfortunately, little is known about the culture that lived in this area when this statue was made, because it was only recently discovered and there have been very few scientific excavations. What has been found are large cemeteries with impressive necropoli, which provide evidence that this was a wealthy, complex society. They buried their dead in conical urns, often topped with figures like this one, decorated with incised or stamped patterns. This is a fine example of a rare piece of art. Size: 1.25" L x 6" W x 13.25" H (3.2 cm x 15.2 cm x 33.7 cm).

Provenance: Ex-Peter Arnovick Collection, Los Altos CA

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#112139

Wear and slight pitting to the surface,