African Art at the
Ralph Proctor Gallery"In Cultural Perspective"
Colonial Figure
- country: Ghana
- people: Ashanti
- medium: wood
- size: 18x6x6 inches
- price: $1,200. SOLD
- inventory #: rpg0737
This figure is called a colonial or "colon". It represents an aspect of local life that did not exist prior to the European colonization of Africa. This one represents an African dressed in the garb of a European soldier. On his back he carries a European flintlock rifle. Such figures served two purposes in Akan society. The first was to make fun of Africans who imitated the European and wore his clothes. The second use was as a shrine figure to honor the deceased. This is an exceptionally well-executed figure. It is rare and old.