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LOT 2325
Ashanti Bronze Gold Weight Collection
AKAN TRIBE, 19TH-20TH CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 - 4 in. (236 grams total, 3-10.2 cm).
Including a miniature cutlass with phallic ornament, anchor with ropework detailing and other items. [7, No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom an old Oxford, UK, collection.
From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
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AUCTIONS:
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African Wooden Ceremonial Face Mask
Baule Tribe, early-mid 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £169
A carved mask with crested horns and decorated in tones of white, red and blue. 620 grams, 39.4 cm
From Ivory Coast, West Africa. From an old Derby, UK, collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
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 Wooden 'Akuaba Doll' Wedding Fertility Figure Pair
Ashanti Tribe, early-mid 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Each with exaggerated discoid head, squat body with stub arms, standing on a conical base. 985 grams total, 36-36.5 cm
From 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. -
African Wooden Tugubele Figure
Senufo Tribe, 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7
Carved in the round standing nude female on a socle base, with crested hairstyle and red painted detailing. 131 grams, 22.6 cm
From Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa. From an old Shrewsbury, UK, ethnographic collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Such relatively small figures are employed by the soothsayers of the Senufo people as ‘helpers’ during their oracles and prophecies.
