Biiga Fertility Doll
Mossi · Burkina Faso
Reference: FRT-12
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- Height
- 21 cm
- Material
- Wood
They are fertility dolls of abstract traits. These statuettes are female figures normally carved by blacksmiths, sometimes lined with leather and others adorned with cauris. It's…
Enquire about this objectFull original description
They are fertility dolls of abstract traits. These statuettes are female figures normally carved by blacksmiths, sometimes lined with leather and others adorned with cauris. It's a toy, dressed, washed and carried behind his back. It also replaces the child who is to be born to bring luck to the parturient. They usually have the cylindrical body and absence of arms and legs and breasts, symbol of motherhood, usually fallen.
It is amulet, at the same time as toy, which is transmitted from mothers to daughters or from older sister to younger sister as a family good. It is always a positive sign that favors the fertility of the woman. They are also offered to young women who have just suffered excision to wish them fruitfulness. Fertility is the greatest attribute of African women.
This doll is one of the few specimens known with legs.
Further technical information
- Attributed period
- Mid-century XX
Details transcribed from the original catalogue; they are not a recent physical inspection.
Country on the map
Burkina Faso. The country associated with the catalog is shown, not the current location of the piece.
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Attributions, dates and accounts come from the preserved catalogue. They do not constitute certification of authenticity or provenance. An object’s presence on this website does not mean it is available for sale.
