Description:

West Africa, Burkina Faso, Mossi Tribe, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A carved wooden doll known as a biiga (literally "child") with a highly abstracted form upon a simplified, cylindrical body. The body is comprised of a long torso with angular breasts that point downward. Upon the tall neck is a narrow crested shaped head with the facial features incised on the narrow plane at the front as minuscule stippling marks! The incised dotted patterns across the body represent scarification, a common practice among the Mossi to signify the passage to adulthood. The abstracted detail of this figure is characteristic of Mossi biiga dolls and represents an adult woman with traits associated with fertility. Despite the mature features, biiga means "child" and these dolls are traditionally given to girls for play and the attainment of fertility. Size: 1.75" W x 8.5" H (4.4 cm x 21.6 cm)

This piece was published in "African Dolls: For Play and for Magic" by Esther A. Dagan on page 46, (Montreal, Galerie Amrad African Arts, 1990).

Provenance: private Jersey City, New Jersey, USA collection; ex-Esther Dagan collection

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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.

#169911

  • Condition: Abrasion and chip to high pointed areas and shallow gouge on underside of base, otherwise intact. Great patina throughout.

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