Africa, Ghana, Akan People, ca 1st half of the 20th century. Carved fertility figure in very abstract human form. Round head, short arms outstretched, long thin torso with ample breasts and spooled base. Aku'aba, or Akua ba are used in a variety of contexts; primarily, however, they are consecrated by priests and carried by women who hope to conceive a child. The flat, disk-like head is a strongly exaggerated convention of the Akan ideal of beauty: a high, oval forehead, slightly flattened in actual practice by gentle modeling of an infant's soft cranial bones. The flattened shape of the sculpture also serves a practical purpose, since women carry the figures against their backs wrapped in their skirt, evoking the manner that infants are carried. On a side note: Teresa and I were working hard to conceive our first (and only) child and bought an Aku'aba to help in the process. It worked immediately and was then even more quickly donated to another childless couple as these things work fast! Size: 10.5" H (26.7 cm)

All tribal examples have been vetted and are guaranteed authentic tribally used pieces and not tourist items.

Provenance: Ex - Adeon Gallery, Nick Poolos collection, Chicago, IL acquired before 1970

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#113774

Near choice.