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This is the rating and price for Asante Wood Female Fertility Idol



Description : West Africa, Ghana, Asante (also Ashanti, Achanti) people, ca. 1980s CE. An impressive, hand-carved wooden figure known as an Akua'ba (also Akuaba) on an integral plinth, painted in a rich, black pigment. Depicted from the waist up, the stylized figure displays a columnar body with conical breasts, and an ovoid navel. Her muscular arms extend from broad shoulders, each bending at the elbow, so the right hand is placed on the torso and left is held behind the back. Her gigantic head presents generously lidded, almond-shaped eyes beneath elongated, arched brows, a sharp, tetrahedral nose, and full lips held gently parted, all beneath a centrally parted coiffure. An attenuated neck enveloped by several collar necklaces supports her huge head, which features an incised, geometric motif on the verso. Size: 7.4 W x 19.5 H (18.8 cm x 49.5 cm) The name Akua'ba (literally Akua's child) comes from a legend of a woman named Akua who was unable to conceive a child until a priest suggested she carry a small wooden doll and treat it like an infant. Even though her local villagers laughed at her, she soon conceived a real child, and the practice became accepted. These dolls are always female because, as a matrilineal society, the women prefer female children to carry on their family line. Provenance: private Englewood, Colorado USA collection, ex-M. Komor Gallery, New York City, New York USA, acquired around 1965 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. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm. Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #166151
Price: 442.75 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 700 USD-1050 USD It's free to register now to view!

About the lot N° 218
Title : Asante Wood Female Fertility Idol
Condition report : Old repair to base with restoration over break lines. Nicks, abrasions, and scratches throughout. Otherwise, excellent with nice pigments and great incised details.
Artemis Gallery, auctioneer, Louisville, US It's free to register now to view!
Sale title : Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages
Sale date : 02 Jun 2022 It's free to register now to view!
Sale Reference : Live Sale

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