West Africa, Nigeria-Cameroon border, Namji / Dowayo culture, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figure with a stylized form, wrapped in strands of heavy shell and glass beads, a brass bell, a leather bag shaped square pouch. Red and yellow seed beads are also inlaid into the wood around the wrists, ankles, and neck. 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: 5.75" L x 2.5" W x 11" H (14.6 cm x 6.4 cm x 27.9 cm)

Provenance: ex-collection of the late Peter Arnovick, San Francisco, California, USA, acquired before 1995

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#180746

Some losses to inlaid seed beads and chips to wood. Stable fissure to wood on right leg. Mineral deposits throughout, encrustations to the beads and leather.