Lot 60B
West Africa, Ghana, Fanti People, ca. early 20th century CE. An exceptional and highly unusual Fanti akua'ba fertility doll, masterfully carved from a single piece of rich brown hardwood, depicting a standing nude female figure crowned with a pair of towering, ribbed antelope horns. The elongated proportions follow the stylized canon of the akua'ba, with a cylindrical torso, small rounded breasts, incised geometric designs across the abdomen, and sturdy legs with detailed feet. The long, ringed neck supports an ovoid head, its serene facial plane defined by almond-shaped eyes, a slender nose, and a small closed mouth. While traditional Fanti akua'ba are most often recognized by their large, disc-like heads, this rare horned example transforms the archetype into a striking hybrid of fertility symbolism and animal power. Such horns may allude to strength, vitality, and protective force, amplifying the doll's intended efficacy in fertility rites. Size: 2.1" L x 2.4" W x 15.75" H (5.3 cm x 6.1 cm x 40 cm)
Among the Fanti - an Akan-speaking people of Ghana and Ivory Coast - akua'ba dolls were traditionally carried by young women hoping to conceive or to ensure beauty and good fortune for their future children. The dolls were ritually bathed, dressed, and cared for within the household, a practice reflecting broader West African beliefs in sympathetic magic. When not in use, they were kept in the home as potent symbols of life, continuity, and maternal blessing. Comparable traditions exist among neighboring peoples such as the Kru and Igbo, though the Fanti's interpretations are especially renowned for their refinement and symbolic clarity. This horned akua'ba stands as a remarkable and rare variation within a form already central to Akan cultural identity.
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, acquired in 2010 via descent; ex-private collection of Ralph T. Coe, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, purchased in March 2005; ex-Taylor Dale Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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#196046
- Condition: Old repair to proper left foot with break line visible. Some areas of old, inactive insect damage as swell as minor chipping and abrasions. Otherwise, nice presentation with rich patina to surface.
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