Fante Standing Painted Female, RARE, FINE Start Price USD 395.00 Current Price USD 395.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, September 01, 2008 End Time Thursday, September 11, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Fante Standing Painted Female, RARE, FINE' Description Fante Standing Painted Female, RARE, FINE, African Carving Type of Object: Standing Female FigureEthnic Group/Tribe: Fante Country of Origin: Ghana Materials: Wood, pigment, glass beads Approximate Age: 20th centuryDimensions: Height is 26 inches Overall Condition: Excellent Damage, Repair: some visible wear to noseAdditional Information: A stunning and dignified Fante figure, the very essence of Akan style. It exemplifies the historic admiration that Akan cultures have lavished on women, and the importance of motherhood. The face is regal, if a bit stylized, the bundles of hair tight are precise, and the arms and pleading hands are beautifully rendered. The addition of 6 strands of antique glass beads, a common addition in a country where beads are held in great esteem, adds nicely to the majesty of the piece. The lush brown pigments and the extensive use of precise scarification make for an irresistible package. Large Fante statues are much less common than those of their inland neighbors, the Asante. The history of the Fante is tied to that of the Akan Kingdom, which rose to power during the 13th century, due to the abundance of gold found in their homelands. Over the centuries, the most powerful faction of the Akan, the Asante, assumed control over the trade routes for gold merchants, giving them not only an economic advantage but a political one as well. The Asante were brutal and demanding, and as a result, smaller groups of Akan began to splinter off, moving towards the coast and into parts of Cote d'Ivoire. The Fante chose to separate themselves from the Asante, settling along the western coast of Ghana. This move allowed them to preserve their vibrant culture, which survives to this day. Though they became somewhat autonomous, helped ironically by the British during their occupation until 1957, the Fante still find themselves at the mercy of the political power of the Asante who, due to sheer numbers, control much of Ghana's government. Recommended Reading: See AFRICAN ART IN MOTION, by Thompson**024431** 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!