Provenience undocumented (Benin City, Nigeria, 18th c?; Aaron Furman Gallery of NY to 6/5/59; Joseph Hirshhorn purchase 6/5/59 to 5/17/66). Identification provided by Hirshhorn Museum (HMSG). Gift from Joseph Hirshhorn Foundation. Item made for ancestor shrine of Benin bronze casters. Vetted by William Fagg & Philip Dark for HMSG. Dark questioned accuracy of an 18th c date. Was exhibited in HMSG's "Benin Art," Dec. 1978 - (?) 1980 & National Museum of African Art's "From the Earth: African Ceramic Art," May 17 - Oct. 1, 1983.
Description: Reddish-brown terra-cotta head is screwed to a black, rectangular wooden base. Has large, almond-shaped eyes with incised pupils, flat, wide nose, carved lips. Across forehead are 6 depressions (scarification marks), 3 on either side of an Ibo mark. Hairstyle is short, cut closely to head with incised hair pattern in a coiled manner. Top of head has a deep hole (for insertion of a tusk?). Condition: some minor losses.
SI Archives acc. 86-136, box 2