Lydenburg Head, c. 500-700 CE.

Eastern Transvaal, South Africa. Clay,

traces of white pigment, and specularite,

24 x 12 x 18 cm. University of Cape Town

Collection, South African Museum, Cape Town.

 

 

As one of the smaller heads, this is the only Lydenburg Head which exhibits animal-like facial features. The aesthetic power of the heads, enhanced by the white slip and shimmering specularite, adds validity to the argument that they were used in ritual drama to captivate an audience, and also to visually mediate between the spirit world and that of daily life.