Fertility doll "akua ba" ·  Ghana, Ashanti · ID: 3035242

Description

wood, greyish white patina, remains of camwood powder in some areas, characteristic form, slightly dam., minor missing parts (mouth), traces of insect caused damage (lower part of the body), abrasion (nose), base;
the legend goes that a childless woman, called “akua”, asked a sorcerer for help. He recommended her to order the carving of a wooden child. “Akua” followed his advice and always carried the doll around with her. It was called “akua ba” which means no more than “Akuas child”. Finally she gave birth to a beautiful daughter" (according to I. N. Bell, 1989).

The object Fertility doll “akua ba” with the object ID 3035242 was last part of the auction 74th tribal art auction at September 7, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 197 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,800.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.

Comparing literature

Bofinger, Brigitte & Wolfgang, Puppen aus Afrika, Stuttgart 2006, p. 36

Publications

Wentinck, Charles, Modern and Primitive Art, Oxford 1974, ill. 14 a