Head Date Unknown

This stone head was carved by a Sapi artist, an ethnic group from the coastal region of what is now Sierra Leone. The Sapi people were known for their distinctive art, often commissioned by Portuguese traders in the 15th and 16th centuries. These sculptures blended African and European motifs, reflecting a complex interchange of power and culture. This head, with its serene expression and detailed facial features, stands as a testament to the Sapi's skill in capturing the human form with dignity and nuance. During this time, the transatlantic slave trade was beginning to take shape, and art became a site where African identity negotiated European expectations. The very act of creating art for trade was fraught with the tensions of cultural exchange and exploitation. The sculpture invites us to contemplate the unwritten stories of the Sapi people.