Ram Head Globular Ritual Vessel

The precise use is unknown, but from excavations of terracotta vessels similar to this type of artifact found in or near memorial mounds at Bamako their function seem to be associated with burial rites. Although bronzes of this type are very rare and few have been published, there are many known vessels with these types of characteristics in terracotta.

The predominant characteristics of this Bankoni brass or bronze artifact are  a globular bowl with four stick-type figures surrounding the globe. There is also an elongated neck, culminating to reach its highest climax point with the effigy of a ram’s head.

Provenance: The first known American collector was the renowned collector Lawrence P. Kolton and Rachel Angotti of Michigan City, Indiana, between the years of 1969 and 1979.