ANTIQUE TERRACOTTA FUNERARY VESSEL TOP BURA NIGER W. AFRICA 11TH - 15TH C.

Description

GJPaw
Auctions is pleased to offer a rare terracotta Funerary Vessel Top fragment from the Bura culture, Republic of Niger, West Africa. Discovered in an area northwest of Niamey and dating from the 11-16th centuries, these figurative funerary vessel tops are commonly called “Bura” figures, a reference to one of the three tribal groups living in the area today. The area of West Africa belonging to the
Bura, Asinda
and
Sikka
tribal groups lies along the Volta River, which separates the countries of Niger and present day Burkina Faso (formerly known as Upper Volta). The greater Volta area is a region of vast cultural, ethno-historical and archeological significance. The Bura appear to have been sedentary agriculturists who buried their dead in tall, conical urns, often surmounted by small figures. Their utilitarian vessels are usually plain, while other “containers” - the function of which is not understood - are often decorated with incised and stamped patterns. These are their best-known art form along with a group of radically reductivist anthropomorphic stone statues or markers, with heads rendered as squares, triangles and ovals, with the body suggested by columnar, monolithic shapes, some of which are also decorated with incised patterns. This superb and highly characteristic vessel top measures 2.5 inches in width by 3 inches in depth by 7 inches in height (6.35 cm by 7.62 cm by 17.7 cm). It shows wear consistent with an age of several hundred years, including cracks and chips that are a normal part of the patina. Importantly, it is an intact original piece and comes with a specially designed, hand-made stand for display. Guaranteed authentic, it would make a fine collector’s piece for anyone involved in African art.
GJPaw
Auctions has been in the Art business for over 25 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay.  Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been delivering in-person to collectors across the globe at
Primitive
in Chicago.  Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected with special attention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide. Add
GJPaw
to
Sellers you Follow
and please take a moment to look at our other auction items.
A021201-289