Richly adorned doll
Cameroon, Namchi (Dowayo)
sold
EUR 1,800
Provenance
Michel Gosse, Caen / Paris, FranceYves & Ewa Develon, Paris, France
Size
H: 38,5 cm
H: 15.2 inch
Description
wood, fabric, glass beads, metal, grass fibre, base
The Namchi (or Dowayo) people from the mountain ranges in north Cameroon is known for making dolls which are considered among the finest in Africa.
This doll is partly wrapped in cloth and grass fibre weave and is extremely opulently decorated with colourful bead strings, medicine bags and a large number of magical metal objects.
Namchi dolls so elaborately decorated were meant to serve as fertility charms for childless women and were worn on the body.