Mossi, Burkina Faso: a fertility doll of the Mossi women, called ‘biga’.
These typical, abstract fertility dolls, called ‘Biga’, are worn by the women of the Mossi in their garments when they wish for children. When a child is born, the ‘biga’ dolls are either placed on house altars, or passed on to the next generation, or even given to the girls as a toy. The present Mossi ‘biga’ doll is a very old, stylistically ‘classical’ example of a fertility doll. With a large flat head featuring a clearly recognisable face on its short side. The typical Mossi hairstyle with side plaits is sketched in recessed chip-carved lines. The long neck, both breasts on the front and the abdomen also display the typical tribal decorative scars in recessed, short chip-carved lines. Mossi dolls always stand on a firm, round base (as the present one does). A crack to the right side of the doll. Otherwise no damage. A piece with unusually old, shiny usage patina.
Height: 23.5 cm. First third of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
06.04.2017 - 15:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 600.-
Mossi, Burkina Faso: a fertility doll of the Mossi women, called ‘biga’.
These typical, abstract fertility dolls, called ‘Biga’, are worn by the women of the Mossi in their garments when they wish for children. When a child is born, the ‘biga’ dolls are either placed on house altars, or passed on to the next generation, or even given to the girls as a toy. The present Mossi ‘biga’ doll is a very old, stylistically ‘classical’ example of a fertility doll. With a large flat head featuring a clearly recognisable face on its short side. The typical Mossi hairstyle with side plaits is sketched in recessed chip-carved lines. The long neck, both breasts on the front and the abdomen also display the typical tribal decorative scars in recessed, short chip-carved lines. Mossi dolls always stand on a firm, round base (as the present one does). A crack to the right side of the doll. Otherwise no damage. A piece with unusually old, shiny usage patina.
Height: 23.5 cm. First third of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian private collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
|
Buyers hotline
Mon.-Fri.: 10.00am - 5.00pm
kundendienst@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 200 |
| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 06.04.2017 - 15:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 01.04. - 06.04.2017 |