Lot 197
**Originally Listed At $500**
West Africa, Nigeria-Cameroon border, Namji / Dowayo culture, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. An interesting hand-carved wooden figure with a stylized form, wrapped in a cloth garment with additional metal wire and beaded ornaments. The figure stands on two thick bowed legs, and the elongated body supports similarly shaped shoulders and downward pointed arms. The tall neck is topped by a small rounded head with simple features that include a crested coiffure and drilled eyes. The body is decorated with incised linear patterns along the shoulders and thighs. Around the body is a wrapped ankara style cloth with a green, abstract pattern. The waist is wrapped with a rattan cord strung with dozens of white glass beads. Metal wires are wrapped around the neck and ankles. These dolls were used for ritual purposes as either protective fetish figures or fertility figures for young women. Size: 9" W x 24.5" H (22.9 cm x 62.2 cm); 25.5" H (64.8 cm) on included custom stand.
Dolls such as these were given to young Namji girls as a toy doll but also to prepare her for motherhood. In addition, caring for such dolls was believed to promote fertility. Often the dolls were worn strapped to the back like a real infant. Occasionally these dolls were given to infertile women in the hope that they would aid with 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 San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s
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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#136858
- Condition: Staining and discoloration to cloth wrapping. Chips and abrasions to high pointed areas and surfaces. Staple cracks on chin and body. Earthen encrustations to beads. Age commensurate weathering to the wood.
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| 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 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |