Figure Item Number: 3600/5 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Clay carving representing the Asantehene, on a rectangular base. Figure has a triangular face, prominent brows, oval-shaped eyes, wide nose, and thin incised mouth. He has semi-circular eyes protruding from his head, and is wearing a circular headdress with triangles on either sides; dots incised in rows across headdress. Male figure is depicted sitting on a high-backed chair, with a long cloth wrapped around him; cloth drapes over left shoulder, leaving right arm exposed. Cloth is decorated with long bands filled with dots. He has a wide strap across his right shoulder, decorated with stripes; large bracelet on his right wrist, decorated with incised diagonal lines. Bottom of carving is undecorated.

Narrative

Purchased by Peter Oberlander on his frequent trips to Africa, sometime between 1958-1990. Oberlander was teaching and consulting in Ghana, and consulting for the UN in Nigeria and Kenya.