Lydenburg Head, c. 500-700 CE.
Eastern Transvaal, South Africa.
Clay, traces of white pigment, and specularite,
24 x 12 x 18 cm.
University of Cape Town Collection,
South African Museum, Cape Town.
As one of the smaller heads, this is the only
Lydenburg Head which exhibits animal-like facial
features. The aestheic power of the heads,
enhanced by the white slip and shimmering
specularite, adds validity to the argument that they
were used in ritual drama to captivate an audience,
and also to visually mediate between the spirit
world and that of daily life.