A Fine and rare Lobi Ceramic Shrine head, Lobi; Burkina Faso
The unusual Terracotta bust with naturalistic face, and ribbed coif in five braids with bands at the sides, overall encrusted patina with simple yet powerful features. H. 11"
The closest comparable example is a rare figure (YGVR #: 20661), illustrated in Schaedler, Keramik aus Schwarz-Afrika; 1985, p. 40. The style is quite aberrant and may not be Lobi at all,as there are formal similarities between this piece and Mossi Terra Cotta shrine heads, however this example lacks the classical Mossi scarification and has tighter features. This lot is clearly from the same workshop as the above referenced piece..
Comments: Property from a New York Estate
Provenance: Alfred Schienberg, 1971, The Gallery of African Art. NY