Fante Standing Female Figure Ghana Africa Start Price USD 450.00 Current Price USD 450.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, September 27, 2008 End Time Tuesday, October 07, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Fante Standing Female Figure Ghana Africa' Description Title: Standing Female Figure FanteType of Object: Female FigureEthnic Group: FanteCountry of Origin: GhanaMaterials: Wood, Beads, PigmentApproximate Age: 20th CenturyDimensions: 13 InchesOverall Condition: Good with slight wearDamage, Repair: scratches or wear in placesAdditional Information:When Europeans first came to the area known as the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana) in the late 1400’s they met the people known as the Fante who are members of a larger culture and language group known as the Akan that includes among others the well-known Asante. This beautifully carved standing female figure was probably part of a grouping of figures in village shrine that served as a point of contact between women who wanted children and the spirits. To emphasize this point her very expressive hands support her distended abdomen with extended navel possibly indicating a pregnant woman. Her prominent coiffure is an example of non-verbal communication as the elaborate hairstyle with the multiple braids reaching to the front and back of her head can be seen today among the Fante as women who have recently had a baby would wear her hair styled similar to this indicating to the people of the village that she was a proud new mother and a mature woman. During other public appearances women of a shared family bloodline or social club would wear large wigs with elaborate vertical elements coming to a peak. As another non-verbal symbol the elaborate hairstyle can be an indicator that the figure was of royal lineage or in fact a local queen mother or lineage head. This reflects the fact that the Fante and other Akan peoples were in the main a matrilineal society and the prominence of the elaborate coiffure, the beads around her neck and waist and the elaborate scarification on her abdomen, back, arms and over the eyes indicates her status and rank. Whatever her role in Fante society she is a beautifully sculpted figure showing slight wear indicating age and long use.References;Mato, D. ‘Aspects: Akan Cultures in Ghana’. 2001.Cole, H.M. & Ross, D. H. ‘The Arts of Ghana’. 1978.I have examined this piece and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, Ph.D. **031012** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!