West Africa, Ghana, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden doll, known as a Fante doll, with a rounded body and long, spatula-like head. The face is incised low on the head, just above an elongated neck. The body has two exaggerated breasts and widens gently from below them, then abruptly cuts in, then flares out again, forming a skirt-like shape on its lower portion. A strand of tiny yellow and red seed beads circles the neck; below the "skirt" are three strands of slightly larger seed beads, some blue and white, some yellow, and a few other colors. These figures were carried by young women hoping for pregnancy or to give birth to a healthy and beautiful child. Size: 1.95" W x 12.5" H (5 cm x 31.8 cm)

Provenance: Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired prior to 1970

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.

#126066

One large, stable crack from the base to the top of the neck, as shown. Light patina from handling on surface. Small signs of wear on surface commensurate with age.