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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Figure (Kronkrobale)
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Figure (Kronkrobale)

Artist/Maker (Ghana and Togo)
Date20th century
Mediumpottery
DimensionsOverall: 22 5/8 x 11 1/4 x 13 1/4 in. (57.5 x 28.6 x 33.7 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of Alan Potamkin
Terms
    Object number2007.48.102
    DescriptionInverted vessel forms serve as the basis for heads or half-figures placed on family ancestral altars to receive libations of millet greul. The purpose of the offerings is to insure fertility, health, and well-being for the family. There is also some reason to believe that these curious pot figures have something to do with ideas of rebirth as well as with honoring the dead. The figures are called kronkrobale, which means children of earlier times. Although attributed to the Ewe, such figures are also found among the Fon, just over the border in the Republic of Benin. Typically, the figure has a clear pot rim serving as a base, emphatic phallus, flipper-like arms held out from the body, additive facial features with open mouth and a pointed circlet or crown-like headdress.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Dakakari people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bassa people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Lobi people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Lobi people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Fon people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Jacob Jordaens
    ca. 1620-1625
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Jalisco
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Batak people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    late 17th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 525-500 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Gran Chiriquí
    ca. 800-1200
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Colima
    ca. 300 BCE-300 CE