Funerary Head (Mma)
Arts of Africa
This head was originally attached to the cylindrical body of a figure called a Mma. The figure represents a royal ancestor and is shown with the composed facial expression expected of Akan or Anyi nobles. The figures are stylized portraits of individuals with differences such as personal hairstyles and scarification patterns. On the outskirts of towns, groups of Mma figures were arranged in cemeteries, where they received offerings and invocations for the dead.
MEDIUM
Terracotta
DATES
18th–19th century
ACCESSION NUMBER
69.56
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Abbott A. Lippman
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Terracotta funerary head, mma. Three dimensional head with neck (orange, clay, coiffure in three projections at back), connecting brows and drawn eye lids, three ring element at neck.
Condition: Coiffure in fragmentary condition, native repairs.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Anyi. Funerary Head (Mma), 18th–19th century. Terracotta, 6 1/8 in. (15.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Abbott A. Lippman, 69.56. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 69.56_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 69.56_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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