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LOT 2392
African Wooden 'Akuaba Doll' Wedding Fertility Figure Pair
ASHANTI TRIBE, EARLY-MID 20TH CENTURY A.D.
14 1/8 - 14 3/8 in. (985 grams total, 36-36.5 cm).
Each with exaggerated discoid head, squat body with stub arms, standing on a conical base. [2, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom Ghana, West Africa.
Ex private Cheshire, UK, collection.
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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 2392
African Wooden 'Akuaba Doll' Wedding Fertility Figure Pair
Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
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African Wooden Comb Fertility Figure
Asante Tribe, 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £117
Carved in the round with large discoid panel for the head with high-relief facial features; small body with arms spread, resting on a rectangular comb with six tines. 483 grams, 41.7 cm
From Southern Ghana, West Africa. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Fertility and children are the most frequent themes in the wooden sculptures of the Asante. The most numerous works are akua’ba fertility figures. The are dolls with disk-shaped heads embodying their concept of beauty and carried by women who want to become pregnant and to deliver a beautiful child. -
Vunikau War Throwing Club
Fiji, 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £260
A natural root club with a good patina of age and wear; hide thong for suspension. 391 grams, 34.2 cm
From Fiji, South Pacific. From an old Northern Ireland collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
“The club was the Fijian warrior's favourite weapon. He had his spears, from ten to fifteen feet long and often richly carved, efficient bows and arrows, and slings for throwing stones; but, although these had each its special use, none approached the club in popularity.” R. A. Derrick, “Notes on Fijian Clubs, (With a System of Classification)”. -
African Decorated Brass Cuff Bracelet
Benin, late 19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
A highly patterned round bronze body with plain disc shaped ends, radiating studs to the outer edge. 59 grams, 74 mm
From Benin, West Africa. Ex Surrey, UK, ethnographical collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
