Pieds de Lit Astrales Inland Niger Delta

Description

Pieds de lit astrales, translated means astral bed posts.
Hand-shaped in clay, these are likely funerary artifacts from the Inner Niger River Delta.
Part of a miniature sized bed that would have been complete with four feet and two transverse posts.
Dating is extremely difficult, but these objects may be datable to the 12th century of our era.
No chips or cracks, incrustations – Collected in Mali.

Height: 10 cm
Diameter: 6 cm

Reference: Terres Cuites Africaines, Collections du musée Barbier-Mueller pp. 52 – an article by Kristina van Dyke.