ASHANTI PEOPLE, GHANA, WEST AFRICA, AUTHENTIC, ORIGINAL, EARLY 20TH CENTURY, ANTIQUE, HAND CARVED, WOODEN FERTILITY DOLL, with NATURALLY AGED WOOD PATINA & DRY, MATTE
WOOD SURFACES
[Estate fresh & absolutely untouched, an early 20th century West African antique wooden fertility doll & not a more recent,
contemporary facsimile]
(Circa 1900-1925)
Early 20th century Ghana, West African hand carved wooden fertility dolls from the
Ashanti tribal people
DIMENSIONS:
11 ¼" Height x 3 ½" Width x 1 ½" Depth
Weight: 6.3 oz.
DESCRIPTION:
This absolutely untouched, 100% authentic and original Ashanti, Ghana, West African, early 20th century, antique, hand carved wood fertility figure, is slightly leaning to the right (the bottom isn't completely flat and is without applied felt or with an attached independent base, unstable to stand firmly on it's own.) We haven't tried to remedy this, sand, shave or otherwise touch it. The wooden sculpture remains as it was found in the North Shore, Massachusetts finely appointed estate where it was removed from. Often, we see much more modern, contemporary facsimiles of these real, authentic and original, early 20th century antique West African hand carved wooden fertility sculptures, with lobed heads and stylized and concentrated facial features on only the lower third of the upper face. This figure's a female form, with outstretched arms and breasts. The large, over-sized head sits on a stout neck. The entire form's body is a carved graduated cylinder with a fluted, knobby base. From the Ashanti tribal people of Ghana, West Africa. Authentic. Original. Real.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
These Ashanti tribal people of Ghana, West Africa hand carved wooden fertility figures would have been principally carried by tribal women on their backs, believing and putting faith in the fact, that the doll's close proximity to them and mere physical presence, would help the women conceive and become pregnant, while also watching over them and safe-guarding them, leading to healthy, successful childbirth. The Ashanti women would decorate and dress up the embryo appearing figure with clothing and adorn them with jewelry, as a form of role teaching. These hand carved wooden figures aren't merely decorative items but are rather imbued with indigenous, tribal culture and reproductive symbolism.
CONDITION:
Good to Very Good overall antique condition. 100% original wooden surfaces. There are a few minor surface scuffs and abrasions. There are no fractures, edge flea-bites, noticeable wood loss or repairs (old or new.) It hasn't been dusted, rinsed or oiled. It remains in the exact same state and condition as when it was removed from the North Shore, Massachusetts estate where it was discovered.