Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Funerary Head
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Funerary Head

Artist/Maker (Ghana)
Dateprobably 18th century
Mediumpottery and pigment
DimensionsOverall: 9 1/4 x 7 1/4 x 6 1/8 in. (23.5 x 18.4 x 15.6 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Terms
    Object number93.0001
    On View
    On view
    Collections
    DescriptionMemorial terracotta heads, or sometimes entire figures in terracotta, are placed near Akan cemeteries, called “place of pots." The practice seems to have been mainly found among the southern Akan peoples in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. The oldest know terracotta memorial heads date from around the 15th century and the arrival of the Portuguese. Some scholars have suggested the heads might have been inspired by European use of figures of Saints; however, using terracotta heads and figures in funerary or burial contexts seems to be an indigenous and widespread African practice.
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Funerary Head
    Akan people
    late 19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Head
    Akan people
    19th to early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Double-headed Figure
    Koma culture
    15th to 16th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Memorial Head
    Benin Kingdom
    probably 17th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Figure
    Lobi people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Figure
    Lobi people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Figure
    Dakakari people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Figure
    Kissi people
    prior to the mid 15th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Warrior Figure
    Classic Veracruz
    ca. 200-400
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Jug
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 1900
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Standing Female Figure
    Bamum people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Figure
    Classic Veracruz
    ca. 600-800
    eMuseum
    Copyright © eMuseum