Fante Figural Chalk Container Ghana Africa RARE Start Price USD 190.00 Current Price USD 190.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, July 18, 2008 End Time Friday, July 25, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Fante Figural Chalk Container Ghana Africa RARE' Description Title: Chalk Spoon or Makeup Container Type of Object: Chalk Spoon or Makeup ContainerEthnic Group: UnidentifiedCountry of Origin: UnknownMaterials: Wood and Pigment with Hook at topApproximate Age: Late 20th CenturyDimensions: 15 InchesOverall Condition: GoodInformation: This charming naturalistically carved sculpture is something of an anomaly in that it is difficult to place among a specific people or region.  The light colored wood and naturalistic carving of the face and depiction of the hair could place sculpture among the Fante or one of the groups along the border of Ghana and the Ivory Coast.  Also spoons or dish-like containers known as okwa nzu are used by the Igbo people of Nigeria to offer pieces of chalk to visitors and during ceremonies were kept in Igbo homes or placed on village or personal shrines.  The offering of chalk is an important aspect of Igbo ceremonial life and a sign of hospitality as the whiteness of chalk is a sign of purity and beauty.  Chalk has magical properties and is often found on shrines or will be used to actually symbolically mark people.  However the containers used by the Igbo are shaped differently than this example.  Though something of an enigma the sculpture does reflect a unique style of naturalism rarely found in African carving with a charming presentation of a woman wearing a necklace around her neck, a wry expression on her face and with highlighted eyes.          **031013** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!