Object Details
- Label Text
- This female figure was acquired before 1926 in what was then the western Gold Coast by Lieutenant Commander Scofield of the British Royal Navy. Its general characteristics are typical of figural sculpture from this region of West Africa. The figure is similar to the museum's Baule figure (85-15-2). Both display a confident standing pose with the hands firmly set on the abdomen. Both figures are adorned with elaborate, detailed coiffures, scarification patterns on the face and torso, and necklaces with gold pendants. While this figure has been designated as Aowin, it may have been created by a carver from another area or imported to the Aowin region.
- The precise function of this figure is unknown. Like figural sculpture produced by the Baule, it may have formed part of a shrine context where it functioned to focus and control spirit force.
- Description
- Standing female figure with hands on her stomach and standing on a square plinth base. The figure has a four lobed hairstyle, ringed neck, scarification on the torso and face and a necklace of two teardrop shaped gold beads.
- Provenance
- Lieutenant Commander Scofield, Ghana, 1926
- J. J. Klejman, New York, 1964
- Ernst Anspach, New York, 1964 to 1996
- Exhibition History
- Gifts to the National Collection of African Art, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., September 17, 1997-January 4, 1998
- Published References
- Anderson, Martha G. and Christine Mullin Kreamer. 1989. Wild Spirits, Strong Medicine: African Art and the Wilderness. New York: the Center for African Art, p. 85, no. 7.
- Cole, Herbert and Doran Ross. 1977. The Arts of Ghana. Los Angeles: Museum of Cultural History, University of California, no. 235.
- Museum of Primitive Art, New York. 1967. African Tribal Sculpture from the Collection of Ernst and Ruth Anspach. Greenwich: New York Graphic Society, p. 30.
- National Museum of African Art. 1999. Selected Works from the Collection of the National Museum of African Art. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, p. 34, no. 57.
- Ravenhill, Philip. 1998. Gifts to the National Collection of African Art. Exhibition brochure, no. 11.
- Content Statement
- As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
- Image Requests
- High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
- Data Source
- National Museum of African Art
- Maker
- Aowin artist
- Date
- Early 20th century
- Credit Line
- Gift of Ernst Anspach
- Medium
- Wood, gold alloy beads, plant fiber, pigment
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 35.1 x 12.5 x 9.4 cm (13 13/16 x 4 15/16 x 3 11/16 in.)
- Type
- Figure
