Osei Bonsu

58. Osei Bonsu (22 October 1900 – 1 March 1977) was a Ghanaian sculptor, taught by his father. He remains one of the very few African artists who’s name has been passed down to us, the identity of most master carvers from Africa  having been lost or un-recorded. He carved many small sculptures for sale to the colonial market and these are the type mostly found in Europe. He also carved for local use and the figure here would appear to have been used in traditional context in Ghana and later collected and brought back to Europe.

c1930’s

33cm tall.

Ghana.

Various losses.