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LOT 2385
African Wooden Fertility Figure
BAMILEKE TRIBE, EARLY-MID 20TH CENTURY A.D.
25 5/8 in. (1.43 kg, 65 cm).
Carved in the round naked female with knees flexed standing on a grotesque male head. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom Cameroon, Central Africa.
From the estate of Dr J Bynon.
From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
This is a carved wooden tribal figure, part of the door frame of the Chief's house, from the Bamileke tribe. A large number of prestigious items of paraphernalia were produced within the Grassland area, including large house-posts, door and window frames carved with human and animal figures, thrones, stools and tables decorated with small heads and figures, large bowls, carved horns for royal feasts, anthropomorphic terracotta and bronze pipes.
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 Ashanti Bronze Figural Gold Weight Collection
Akan Tribe, 19th-20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Group of three workmen in active poses with handtools. 202 grams total, 51-84 mm
From an old Oxford, UK, collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman. -
African Ashanti Bronze Snake Gold Weight
Akan Tribe, 19th-20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
D-shaped in section with impressed segmentation to the back, raised head. 144 grams, 25 cm
From an old Oxford, UK, collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman. -
African Wooden 'Akuaba Doll' Fertility Figure
Ashanti Tribe, late 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £46
Carved from light-coloured, lightweight wood in traditional form and dyed black; large, round head, with striated hairstyle to the centre, large eyes and three short lines representing the typical tribal scarification marks on the forehead; tapering body and stub arms, tiered base. 532 grams, 46.5 cm
From Ghana, West Africa. From the private collection of Mr N.J., Leicester, UK; acquired circa 2010. 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.
