An Akan - Owin - terracotta head

Estimated price 600 - 800 €

An Akan - Owin - terracotta head, Ghana, incl. stand.

This terracotta head is a striking example of the refined sculptural traditions of the Akan peoples, particularly the Owin subgroup. Crafted from earthen clay and modeled with remarkable sensitivity, the piece embodies both artistic expression and ancestral reverence. The stylized facial features—almond-shaped eyes, arched brows, and carefully modeled lips—reflect a deep aesthetic canon passed down through generations.

Among the Akan, terracotta heads like this one were often associated with funerary practices and ancestral commemoration. They were typically created to honor deceased individuals of high status—royalty, priests, or elders—and were placed at burial sites or ancestral shrines. These portrait-like sculptures served not merely as likenesses but as spiritual vessels, linking the living with the ancestral realm.

The Owin style is marked by its serene expression, subtle surface texture, and balanced proportions, all of which are evident here. The patina and minor surface wear attest to both age and ritual handling, enhancing the piece’s historical and cultural significance.

This head is not only a powerful artistic object but also a window into the philosophical and ritual worlds of the Akan peoples—where art, memory, and spirituality intertwine.

Height: 37 cm incl. stand
Weigth 1,2 kg incl. stand