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African art - Dolls:

Many contemporary commentaries claim that dolls and puppets were introduced to the African continent by the Catholic missions for didactic purposes. However, it is clear that the ancestral tradition of puppet show existed long before the arrival of the missions. African puppets are predominantly used in men's shows, while dolls are used by girls and women.


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Hopi Doll
African art > African Dolls > Hopi Doll

Ex-French collection of tribal art . Animating the traditions of the Hopi Indian peoples of Arizona, the Katsinam sculpted objects (sing. Kachina ) intervene during traditional dances accompanying the annual festivals in favor of rain. The traditional Kachinam dolls are, for the Pueblo Native American group (Hopi, Zuni, Tewa Village, Acoma Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo), educational tools offered to children at the end of ritual festivals. These statuettes, embodying a great diversity of spirits, represent the katchina dancers and the colors are associated with the cardinal points. The polychrome patina is matte and velvety, minor accidents.


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290.00

Ashanti doll
African art > African Dolls > Ashanti doll

Used by the Ashanti and the Fantis of Ghana, the Akuaba doll-statuettes (plural Akua'mma) are amulets used by Ashanti women to promote fertility. They are easily identifiable by their stylized appearance. Their flat, circular head has a high forehead occupying the upper part, the features are generally drawn in the lower third of the head. A mark of beauty, the ringed neck also symbolizes prosperity. Worn on the backs of women, these statues are also accompanied by various rites, such as the ingestion of a potion, or the arrangement of the object on the family altar. After the birth of the child, the sculpture serves as a toy, and sometimes still offered to the healer in order to witness its effectiveness. Smooth black patina, abrasions.


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160.00

Statuettes Ewe
African art > African Dolls > Statuettes Ewe

French collection of African art A Togolese version of the Ibejdi of the Yoruba, these ancient statuettes of twins have a glossy two-tone patina.

The Ewe, often confused with the Minas, are the largest ethnic group in Togo. They are also found as minorities in Ghana, Benin, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. The Ewe consider the birth of twins called Venavi (or Venovi) to be a happy omen. They must be treated identically and fairly. For example, both will be fed and washed at the same time and will wear the same clothes, until puberty.
If one of the twins dies, the parents obtain a statuette to replace the deceased child.

Source: "Isn't she a doll?" E.L Cameron


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190.00

Ewe figure
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Ewe figure

Ex-Belgian African art collection.
An evocation of the missing twin, thisfemale statuette has a light patina on which faint colored residues remain. Cracked base.

The Ewe, often confused with the Minas, are the largest ethnic group in Togo. They are also found as minorities in Ghana, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria. Although we have little historical information about them, it seems that their establishment in their current location results from invasions and conflicts that broke out during the 17th century. The Ewe regard the birth of twins called Venavi (or Venovi) as a happy omen. The latter must be treated identically and fairly. For example, both will be fed and washed at the same time and will wear the same clothes until puberty.
If one of the two twins dies, ...


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240.00

Yoruba statuette
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Yoruba statuette

The Ibeji, substitute images in African art.
This type of "ere" sculpture (statue) of a twin was originally carved from iroko, whose roots and leaves are also used for ritual purposes. Satin patina of black tint. In the language of the Yoruba people, ibeji means twin: ibi for born and eji for two. They represent the figure of a deceased twin. This ibedji is then treated by the mother as the missing child would have been. If she disappears, it is the remaining twin who takes over. It also happened that a man would have ibeji sculpted for his wife in order to induce pregnancy. Supporting the soul of the twin, the ibeji influences the life of the family, becoming a source of blessings towards his parents, the latter continuing to address prayers and devote worship and libations to ...


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250.00

Hopi Kachina doll
African art > Art of the world > Hopi Kachina doll

French collection of tribal art, the name of the collector will be communicated to the purchaser.
The traditional Kachinam dolls are, for the Pueblo Native American group (Hopi, Zuni, Tewa Village, Acoma Pueblo and Laguna Pueblo), educational tools offered to children at the end of ritual festivals. Among the Hopi Indians, from the age of six, boys begin their initiation into the katchina cult rendered to the ancestors. Animating these traditions, the Kachinam dolls, particularly decorative, express themselves during traditional dances accompanying the annual festivals in favor of rain. These statuettes represent masked katchina dancers, embodying a great diversity of spirits, and their colors are associated with the cardinal points.
Matte multi-colored patina, small ...


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290.00

Yoruba doll
African art > African Dolls > Yoruba doll

Ibeji statuettes, incarnation of the missing child in African Yoruba art.
Large almond-shaped eyes, scarifications cut into the face, braids gathered into a crest generally illustrate the aesthetic traditions of African Yoruba art. Orange patina, indigo highlights.
In the language of the Yoruba people, ibeji means twin: ibi for born and eji for two. They represent the figure of a deceased twin. These African statuettes named ibeji are then treated as the missing child would have been. It is the mother who must take care of them; she can wash and feed them regularly. If she dies, the remaining twin takes over. Considered much more than a physical representation of a loved one, the ibedji influences the life of the family, which is why the latter continues to address prayers and ...


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240.00

Ewe dolls
African art > African Dolls > Ewe dolls

French collection of African art A Togolese version of the Ibejdi of the Yorubas, these figurines of missing twins have a light beige patina of use. The golden heads probably had to benefit from ritual anointings. Missing.

The Ewe, often confused with the Minas, are the largest ethnic group in Togo. They are also found as minorities in Ghana, Benin, Ivory Coast and Nigeria. The Ewe consider the birth of twins called Venavi (or Venovi) as a happy omen. They must be treated identically and fairly. For example, both will be fed and washed at the same time and will wear the same clothes, until puberty.
If one of the twins dies, the parents obtain a statuette intended to replace the deceased child and contact a witch doctor to activate its magical virtues.

Source: ...


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240.00

Namji doll
African art > African Dolls > Namji doll

French collection of African tribal art Decorated with accessories related to prestige and fertility, this ancient African doll of the Namji or Dowayo, a people of animist mountain dwellers established in the north of Cameroon, wears a leather outfit. Abraded patina of use.

These African tribal dolls are carved in wood by the blacksmith, initially for the play of little girls. But these dolls are mainly used by sterile women in complex fertility rituals, the doll becoming a substitute child that they will treat as such. In some cases the fiancé offered it to his future wife, the doll representing their future offspring. The decoration of the doll can also reproduce the finery of the new initiates after their period of seclusion.


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380.00

Fali fetish
African art > The fetish, this emblematic object of primitive art > Fali fetish

French collection of African art This African object associated with fertility symbolizes the marriage vows and the child that will be born of this union. It is the fiancé who makes it and decorates it with multiple trinkets, in this case cords, various beads, dried fruits, copper miniatures, before offering it to the young woman. The Kirdi, or "pagans", as the Islamized peoples have named them, are established in the far north of Cameroon, on the border with Nigeria. They include the Matakam, Kapsiki, Margui, Mofou, Massa, Toupouri, Fali, Namchi, Bata, Do ayo... They live from agriculture, fishing and livestock breeding.
Among the Fali, ancestor worship is illustrated by the great importance given to the skulls of the deceased, because thought and knowledge resided there.


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240.00

Yoruba Figure
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Yoruba Figure

Having abandoned his "abiku", abundant ornaments with an apotropaic function generally consisting of beaded belts and necklaces, this male figure of twin "ere" (statues) stands on ample feet, his large pierced pupils staring at us intensely.
Satin mahogany patina. Grainy residue, cracks.
The occurrence of twinning among the Yoruba is more common than anywhere else in Black Africa. In the language of the Yoruba people, ibeji means twin: ibi for born and eji for two< /i>. They represent the figure of a deceased twin. This ibedji is then treated as the missing child would have been. It is the mother who must take care of him; she can wash and feed him regularly. If she dies, the remaining twin takes over. It also happened that a man had ibeji carved for his wife in order to ...


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175.00

Kirdi Doll
African art > African Dolls > Kirdi Doll

French collection of African art This African doll associated with fertility symbolizes the marriage vows and the child that will be born of this union. It is the fiancé who makes it and decorates it with multiple trinkets, beads, textiles, shells, leather and talismans, before offering it to the young woman. The Kirdi, or "pagans", as the Islamized peoples have named them, are established in the far north of Cameroon, on the border with Nigeria. They include the Matakam, Kapsiki, Margui, Mofou, Massa, Toupouri, Fali, Namchi, Bata, Do ayo... They live from agriculture, fishing and livestock breeding.
Among the Fali, ancestor worship is illustrated by the great importance given to the skulls of the deceased, because thought and knowledge resided there.


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240.00

Mossi doll
African art > African Dolls > Mossi doll

Fertility statuette of very schematic design, the appearance of the head of which varies according to the region. It evokes a spirit with which a relationship is established. The tubular bust, slightly bulging at the level of the abdomen, has a flat chest. The angular, stylized head evokes the female crest hairstyle, the parallel incisions, the scarifications and the braids of the ethnic group. Beautiful heterogeneous brown patina, lustrous, locally abraded. Minimal cracking.
The use of dolls by young African women is not exclusively within the initiatory context. When menstruation begins, the girl is considered a potential mother. In many ethnic groups, the search for fertility is then done by means of initiation rites. Wooden figures will then be carved, some reflecting both ...


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160.00

Fali Doll
African art > African Dolls > Fali Doll

French collection of tribal art
African doll of fertility embodying the aspirations for marriage and the birth of the child. It is the fiancé who takes the initiative to make it and embellish it with various ornaments before presenting it to his future wife. This example is distinguished by its hairstyle and long braids. The Kirdi, also called "pagans" by Islamized peoples, live in the far north of Cameroon, on the border with Nigeria. This community includes the Matakam, Kapsiki, Margui, Mofou, Massa, Toupouri, Fali, Namchi, Bata, Do ayo, and others, who live mainly from agriculture, fishing and livestock breeding.


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240.00

Bozo Puppet
African art > African Dolls > Bozo Puppet

French collection of African art
"Mani" is a diminutive meaning "little person" qualifying the African puppets with human faces used by the Bambara and Markha during didactic shows. This tradition of puppet theater is common to the multi-ethnic peoples living in the inner Niger Delta, including the Bozo, particularly in the Ségou region where it is called "sogobo".
Articulated arms, missing fingers on one hand. Desiccation crack.
In Mali, the invention of the puppet is attributed to the bush spirits who kidnapped Toboji Centa, a Bozo fisherman. The Markha, also called Warka, live in the north of the Bambara territory and have, consequently, been influenced by them, particularly in the design of their masks. In addition to the similarities between Markha and Bambara art, ...


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280.00

Fali Doll
African art > African Dolls > Fali Doll

African Art from Cameroon.
This African fertility doll symbolizes the marriage vows and the child that will be born from this union. It is the fiancé who makes it and decorates it with multiple trinkets before offering it to the young woman. A calabash pierced with holes, surmounted by a head, is wrapped in fragments of textile and draped with multiple necklaces of pearls, associated with metal objects. The Kirdi , or "pagans", as the Islamized peoples have called them, are established in the far north of Cameroon, on the border with Nigeria.
They include the Matakam, Kapsiki, Margui, Mofou, Massa, Toupouri, Fali, Namchi, Bata, Do ayo... They live from agriculture, fishing and animal husbandry.
Among the Fali, ancestor worship is illustrated by the great importance ...


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240.00

Yoruba statuette
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Yoruba statuette

Ex-British collection of African art African statuette decorated with necklaces of colored beads constituting the protective abiku adornments.
Sculpted according to the instructions of Ifa transmitted to the diviner, the babalawo, the Ibedji statuettes played the role of substitute for the death of the child. The statuettes are then treated as the missing child would have been. It is the mother who must take care of it; she anoints them with oil and feeds them regularly. If it disappears, the remaining twin takes over. Considered to be much more than a physical representation of a loved one. The Ibedji statues influence the life of the family, which is why the latter continues to pray to them and offer them worship and libations.
Mahogany satin patina, drying cracks..


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250.00

Tabwa Doll
African art > African Dolls > Tabwa Doll

Ex-Belgian collection of African art traditional dolls in African tribal art of the Tabwa. Used by the female initiation society, this statuette has feminine attributes and a protruding navel, scarifications comparable to those of members of the tribe. Golden brown patina.
The Tabwa ("scarify" and "write") constitute an ethnic group present in the South-East of the DRC. Simple farmers without centralized power, they united around tribal chiefs after having been influenced by the Luba. It was mainly during this period that their artistic movement was expressed mainly through statues but also masks. The Tabwa practiced ancestor worship and dedicated some of their statues to them called mkisi. Animists, their beliefs are anchored around ngulu, spirits of nature present in plants ...


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180.00

Mossi doll
African art > African Dolls > Mossi doll

Ex-French collection of African tribal art Schematized fertility doll, whose head appearance varies depending on the region. The angular head evokes the female crest hairstyle, the parallel incisions, the scarifications and the braids of the ethnic group.
Beautiful lustrous patina.
Among many ethnic groups, the search for fertility is done through initiation rites. Wooden figures will be carved, some reflecting both genders, in many cases covered with beads and clothing. During the period of seclusion, the doll, which becomes a child who requires daily feeding, washing and anointing, becomes the girl's only companion. After the initiation, they will be carried on the women's backs, or attached to their necks. Wooden dolls (biiga), carved in their free time by blacksmiths in ...


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150.00

Tabwa doll
African art > African Dolls > Tabwa doll

French collection of African art .
Small sculpted figure with feminine attributes and a protruding navel, it bears multiple scarifications. Glossy brown patina, erosions from use.
The Tabwa ("scarify" and "write") are an ethnic group present in the South-East of the DRC. Simple farmers without centralized power, they united around tribal chiefs after being influenced by the Luba. The tribes of this region, such as the Tumbwe , worship the mipasi ancestors through sculptures held by the chiefs or sorcerers. The Tabwa practiced ancestor worship and dedicated some of their statues called mkisi to them. Animists, their beliefs are anchored around the ngulu, nature spirits present in plants and rocks.


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380.00

Yoruba figure
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Yoruba figure

Ibeji statuettes, incarnation of the missing child in African Yoruba art.
Stripped of its ritual accessories, this naked male figure, supported by rectangular feet, rises in a rectilinear posture. Orange-brown semi-satin patina, residual encrustations, cracks. In the language of the Yoruba people, ibeji means twin: ibi for born and eji for two. They represent the figure of a deceased twin. These African statuettes named ibeji are then treated as the missing child would have been. It is the mother who must take care of them; she can wash and feed them regularly. If she dies, the remaining twin takes over. Considered as much more than a physical representation of a loved one, the ibedji influences the life of the family, which is why the latter continues to address prayers to it ...


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175.00