A superb lost-wax pendant, depicting the head of an ancestor, scarified at the temples and on the forehead between the eyes, sporting a beard and a magnificent braided hairstyle, which is composed with an asymmetrical chignon as some very old Baoule statues can still testify. It's no coincidence that Jean Roudillon, on the occasion of the auction where this Akan jewel first appeared, chose it to illustrate the cover of his catalog. Akan, Baoulé or Attié, Ivory Coast 19th century (or earlier) Bronze, copper alloy, old hanging ring on back, wear and superb old patina. H. 4 cm. Provenance: Galerie Le Corneur Roudillon, Paris. André Schoeller Collection, Paris, 1992 Private collection, Paris Publications and exhibitions : Laurin et associés, Paris, 1992 Ribeyre et Baron, Paris, December 22, 2014, Collection André Schoeller, no. 177