Abstract Figure with Open Mouth and Decorated Arm

Origin: Ségou Culture, Mali
Composition: terracotta, adhesive (indigenous repair)

Although created during the same era as other inland Niger Delta civilizations, the style of the Bankoni and Ségou sculptures can be distinguished by especially long upper parts of the body with simply-modeled faces. Whereas the Bankoni figures display a certain naturalism in their proportions, the Ségou sculptures seem to have their origin in an eccentric drama or fashion show - extremely long arms and/or legs, huge drops on shell-shaped ears, strongly clear cut nose ridges, and large numbers of gigantic decorative rings covering the arms (ref: Schadler, "Earth and Ore).

In addition to displaying most of the above mentioned attributes (an extremely long arm decorated with oversized bangles, a crisp nose ridge), this piece also wears a necklace adorned with giant stones or jewels.

This piece was thermoluminescence tested by Daybreak Archaeometric Laboratory Services (Connecticut), and found to be authentic, having been fired (created) between 1095 and 1455 A.D.

Please contact us if you have any questions about this piece at (415) 362-6601 or info@sujaro.com.