Lot 81J
West Africa, Ghana, Asante (Ashanti, Achanti) people, ca. mid 20th century CE. A very large example of a painted, dark wood disk-headed akua ba (akuaba) figure. She stands on a conical base with her conical arms stretched out to the sides; her torso has small breasts and a low navel. The narrow rings carved around her neck are a standard artistic convention to show rolls of fat, a sign of beauty and prosperity in this culture. The face is small relative to the head and set low on the disk. The reset of the head towers above, with a cross-hatched motif near the top that may represent an elaborate coiffure. Size: 6.8" W x 16" H (17.3 cm x 40.6 cm); 16.4" H (41.7 cm) on included custom stand.
These figures, always female, are meant to show an idealized form of beauty; pregnant women are not supposed to even gaze upon something physically unattractive, because it might influence the features of her future child. The name, Akua ba, comes from a legend of a woman (Akua) who wanted to have children (ba) but could not, until a priest suggested she carry a small wooden doll and treat it like a child. Even though her local villagers laughed at her, she soon conceived a real child, and the practice became accepted. These dolls are always female because this is a matrilineal society, and so women prefer to have female children to carry on their family line.
Provenance: private Eason Eige collection, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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.
#131419
- Condition: Small chips from edges and light scratching commensurate with age. Nose has a small chip from its tip.
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 |