Lot 311
**First Time At Auction**
Africa, Nigeria-Cameroon border, Dowayo culture, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. The Namji artisans are best known for their wooden dolls carved with geometric features that are adorned with numerous multi-colored necklaces as we see in this example. Here the proportionately small head is incised with a stark facial expression with inlaid red bead eyes and presents a stylized carved wood hairdo. Its neck, wrists, and torso are adorned with red, black, and white glass beads as well as several seashells and a leather fetish packet hanging from its neck. An impressive example with nice patina. Size: 7.5" H (19 cm)
These dolls were used for ritual purposes, as a protective fetish figure with beads and magical additions or as a fertility figure for young women. Dolls such as these were given to young Namji girls as a toy doll but also to prepare them for motherhood. Caring for such dolls also was believed to promote fertility. Often such dolls were worn strapped to the back, just like a real infant. Occasionally such dolls were given to infertile women in the hope that they would inspire pregnancy. They were commissioned from a carver for this purpose after which they were taken to the tribes diviner nganga, who performed rituals to inject force and respect (nkinda) into the doll. In this event, such dolls became fetish objects and were provided with food offerings and care, so that their power would not wane.
Provenance: private Moore collection, Denver, Colorado, USA, acquired thirty years ago
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#121972
- Condition: Very well preserved, overall excellent.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |