BoW-5 / Akan (Fante or related coastal Akan), Ghana

Height: 12.25 in / 31.1 cm

ex James Willis, CA

Wood, pigment, shell, string, beads

An archaic figure with a very unusual shaped head. There are figures that have both Asante and Fante characteristics, but for me this figure has more of a Fante and a coastal Akan feel. This figure reflects the fluid boundaries of Akan carving traditions along the coast, where form and style often overlap across communities.

I was immediately drawn to the neck of this figure, which is carved with a level of detail I rarely encounter in akua’ba. The stacked rings and patterned incisions feel intentional and expressive, turning what is often a quiet, functional area into one of the most visually engaging parts of the sculpture. It’s a detail that rewards close looking and continues to hold my attention.

One of my favorite views of this figure is from the back. There is a simplicity to it, particularly in the absence of arms, yet the single cowry shell suspended from the center of the head feels like the perfect finishing detail. I often find myself turning the figure around and displaying it in my home with the back facing outward.

$2500 plus shipping