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Description
**Originally Listed At $300**
West Africa, Nigeria-Cameroon border, Namji / Dowayo culture, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figure with a stylized form, wrapped in a stiff hide garment, a strand of glass beads, and a brass ring around the waist. Cowrie shells and pierced Nigerian 1973 coins are tied to the wrists. These dolls were used as toys for girls to prepare them for motherhood, and to promote fertility amongst women. 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. Size: 16" L x 6.5" W (40.6 cm x 16.5 cm)
Provenance: ex-collection of the late Peter Arnovick, San Francisco, California, USA, acquired before 1995
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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#180745
West Africa, Nigeria-Cameroon border, Namji / Dowayo culture, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figure with a stylized form, wrapped in a stiff hide garment, a strand of glass beads, and a brass ring around the waist. Cowrie shells and pierced Nigerian 1973 coins are tied to the wrists. These dolls were used as toys for girls to prepare them for motherhood, and to promote fertility amongst women. 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. Size: 16" L x 6.5" W (40.6 cm x 16.5 cm)
Provenance: ex-collection of the late Peter Arnovick, San Francisco, California, USA, acquired before 1995
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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#180745
Condition
Chips and old abrasions to wood otherwise intact. Some fraying and cracking to leather. Mineral deposits and patina to surfaces.
Buyer's Premium
- 27.5%
African Namji Wood Fertility Doll w/ Leather Clothing
$300.00
$450
1 bidder is watching this item.
Shipping & Pickup Options
Item located in Louisville, CO, USOffers In-House Shipping
Payment
Accepts seamless payments through LiveAuctioneers
Auction Curated By
Owner/Executive Director, Antiquities & Pre-Columbian Art
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