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LOT 0263

African Bura Asinda Sikka Stone Anthropomorphic Idol

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West Africa, present day Niger and Burkina Faso, Bura-Asinda-Sikka area, ca. 1100 to 1500 CE. A hand-carved sandstone funerary idol with a columnar body, wide lateral projections, and a tall spade-form head. The highly-stylized visage is composed of annular eyes, a high-crested nose which runs from the top of the head to the neck, and an incised mouth, curved to a slight smile and split in half by the nose. Naturally embellished in warm hues of tan and beige, this fascinating figure was found in a necropolis that was filled with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic terracotta and stone figurines, frequently placed above inhumation-style burials; many of these burials also included bronze jewelry, iron weapons, and glass beads (the latter indicating that this culture had trade ties across the Sahara with North Africa). This object's pointed base would have served as a topper for an urn or as a stake for it to be placed in the ground as a gravemarker. Scholars posit that figures like this one were intended to represent individuals. Size: 4.875" W x 19.5" H (12.4 cm x 49.5 cm)

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection, acquired in 2017; ex-Gallery Jatad, Houston, Texas, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#162789
Condition Report: Nose has been reattached with restoration over break line. Expected surface wear with nicks/chips and abrasions throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with lovely earthen deposits.

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Time, Location
16 Sep 2021
USA, Louisville, CO
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[ translate ]

West Africa, present day Niger and Burkina Faso, Bura-Asinda-Sikka area, ca. 1100 to 1500 CE. A hand-carved sandstone funerary idol with a columnar body, wide lateral projections, and a tall spade-form head. The highly-stylized visage is composed of annular eyes, a high-crested nose which runs from the top of the head to the neck, and an incised mouth, curved to a slight smile and split in half by the nose. Naturally embellished in warm hues of tan and beige, this fascinating figure was found in a necropolis that was filled with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic terracotta and stone figurines, frequently placed above inhumation-style burials; many of these burials also included bronze jewelry, iron weapons, and glass beads (the latter indicating that this culture had trade ties across the Sahara with North Africa). This object's pointed base would have served as a topper for an urn or as a stake for it to be placed in the ground as a gravemarker. Scholars posit that figures like this one were intended to represent individuals. Size: 4.875" W x 19.5" H (12.4 cm x 49.5 cm)

Provenance: private Houston, Texas, USA collection, acquired in 2017; ex-Gallery Jatad, Houston, Texas, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#162789
Condition Report: Nose has been reattached with restoration over break line. Expected surface wear with nicks/chips and abrasions throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with lovely earthen deposits.

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Estimate
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Time, Location
16 Sep 2021
USA, Louisville, CO
Auction House
Unlock
View it on