Ancient African Terracotta Funerary Head Fragment

Traveling Man Treasures is selling this ancient African terracotta funerary head. The piece is weathered as expected from the ravages of time, but many features are still recognizable; making this fragment an excellent collectible piece of history.

Most African terracotta head fragments were intended for ritualistic or funerary use, such as grave markers or focal points for ancestral communication. Because many were found in alluvial deposits or buried purposely after ceremonies, they are commonly discovered in pieces rather than whole. Their discovery has challenged outdated assumptions by proving that technically advanced, symbolic art traditions existed in Africa long before European contact.

Although we are uncertain exactly which region this particular piece is from, there are three main areas that funerary heads were frequently found. They are:

Nok (Nigeria, c. 1500 BCE – 200 CE): Famous for triangular eyes with perforated pupils.

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