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LOT 2372
African Wooden 'Akuaba Doll' Fertility Figure
ASHANTI TRIBE, 20TH CENTURY A.D.
12 in. (250 grams, 30.5 cm).
Carved from dark-coloured, lightweight wood in traditional form and dyed dark brown with large, round head with a plain hairstyle, large eyes and zig-zag lines beneath, extending down the back and abdomen representing the typical tribal scarification marks. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom Ghana, West Africa.
Ex private collection of Mr.N.J., Leicester, UK.
From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Among the Ashanti people in Ghana, women hoping for offspring carry these ‘Akuaba dolls’ in their clothes. Traditionally, these ‘Akuaba’ have a large, round, flat head that is reminiscent of its origin as a representation of the moon goddess, which is associated with fertility. Once the ‘Akuaba’ figure has fulfilled its purpose, the mother of the desired child places it on her domestic altar, where it is worshipped in a shrine, or she passes it on to the next generation.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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African Wooden Ceremonial Face Mask
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The Baule people is one of the largest ethnic groups in the Côte d'Ivoire. Wooden masks allow a closer contact with the supernatural world and correspond to several types of dances: the gba gba, the bonu amuen, the mblo and the goli. They never represent the ancestors and are always worn by men. -
African Terracotta Bead Necklace Group
12th century A.D. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £65
Ten restrung mainly cream and beige-coloured rondelle, tubular and ribbed beads and other types. 64 grams total, 70-74 cm
Ex property of a UK gallery, early 2000s. -
African Wooden Ritual Cup
Senufo Tribe, 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £72
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From Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa. Acquired Nairobi, Kenya, 1997. Property of a Manchester, UK, collector. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
