Memorial head (Akan), 17th-19thcenturies.
Ghana.
Terracotta, 33 x c. 19 x c. 18 cm.
Private collection.
Female artists created memorial terracottas in honour
of deceased chiefs and other important elders, both
male and female. Surviving members of the deceased
were also represented. Rather than being placed on the
grave, the sculptures were more commonly put in a
sacred grove near the cemetary where libations and
food and prayer offerings were offered ritually.