This piece of African artwork shares a lot of characteristics with the Getlein’s artwork Gwandusu. Bamana. 13th-15th century (Page 422). This maternity figure is an archetype of feminine beauty.
Both of these artwork resemble a lot. Both of them are made of the same medium. They are made of wood sculptures made of wood, metal and pigments. Both of them have filed teeth, beaded adornments and a very prominent hairstyle that symbolizes the elite class of these woman. The artwork above has a mother with a peaked hairstyle whereas in Getlein’s text the mother is wearing a cap hung with amulets. The prominent hair style or the cap marks them …show more content…
It has three vertical shafts and two concentric oval loops on the left. This is a great example that illustrates Getlein’s excerpt because this unique calligraphic emblem was not easily read or copied. Calligraphy is really common in Islamic lands sharing a common Islamic cultural heritage. Being a Muslim, I know how God says in the Quran to worship no one but him who created the whole universe and the people that are living in this universe. He can forgive everything except for “Shirk” which means he will never forgive those who worship someone else or worships Him but also someone else at the same time. God also forbid from drawing humans and animal because He is the only one who created the universe and the people with perfection and it’s wrong for a human to try creating something which God did. Therefore Muslim artists only draw decorative geometric patterns and stylized plant forms. They draw stems, flowers and tendrils with Arabic script too. The artist here draws naturalistic flowers enhancing the harmonious lines of calligraphy, creating a colorful voluminous effect. The Tughra have a significant meaning behind it. The loops on the left signifies Black Sea. The three vertical lines signify independence and right sides signify sword, symbol of power and might. The Arabic script has the name of the reigning sultan, his title and a phrase “the eternally