Bura Terracotta Funerary Figure Hand

The Bura Asinda-Sikka culture, c. 200-1200AD, Niger or Burkina Faso, West Africa.

This stunningly beautiful terracotta hand fragment, dating from 200-1200 AD, is a rare and captivating relic of the Bura Asinda-Sikka culture of West Africa. A remnant of a larger sculptural figure, this piece offers a glimpse into the artistic refinement and symbolic depth of an ancient civilization whose enigmatic traditions continue to intrigue scholars and collectors alike.

The Bura culture, which thrived in the lower Niger River valley of present-day Niger and Burkina Faso, was first uncovered in 1975 near Niamey, Niger, with the accidental discovery of the Bura-Asinda-Sikka necropolis. Excavations in the early 1980s revealed a sophisticated society that flourished between the 3rd and 13th centuries AD, leaving behind a legacy of distinctive terracotta funerary art.

Bura artisans are celebrated for their tubular and ovoid anthropomorphic urns, often adorned with stylized human figures, mounted horsemen, or sculpted heads. Fragments like this hand reveal the meticulous craftsmanship and unique sculptural techniques employed by the Bura, where anatomical elements were often simplified yet expressive, reflecting a deep cultural and spiritual significance. The presence of such figures in burial sites suggests their role in ancestral veneration, ceremonial rites, or protective symbolism.

A rare and evocative artifact, this terracotta hand fragment serves as an extraordinary testament to the rich artistic traditions of one of West Africa’s most intriguing early civilizations. A remarkable addition for collectors and institutions specializing in African antiquities.

Good condition. Age-related wear with a chips, nicks, and scratches on surface. Size approx. 11,0cm x 6,7cm x 5,8cm. 

Provenance: Dutch private collection

References and further reading:

Bura Funerary Urns: Niger Terracottas: An Interpretive Limbo?, Michelle Gilbert, African Arts, The MIT Press, Vol. 53, No.1, Spring 2020, pp. 66-75.

Earth and Ore: 2500 Years of African Art in Terra-cotta and Metal, Karl-Ferdinand Schädler, Panterra, January 1, 1997.

Un "Village des Morts" à Bura en Republique du Niger', Boube Gado, in J. Devisse (ed.), Vallées du Niger, Paris: Réunion des Musées Nationaux, 1993, pp. 365-74.

One Hundred Years of Archaeology in Niger, Anne C. Haour, Journal of World Prehistory, Vol.17. No.2, June 2003, pp. 181-234.