Among the Ashanti people, the largest tribe of the Akan group, women hoping for offspring carry these ‘Akuaba dolls’ with them among their clothes.
Traditionally, these ‘Akuaba’ have a large, round, flat head that is reminiscent of its origin as a representation of the moon goddess, which is associated with fertility. Once the ‘Akuaba’ has fulfilled its purpose, the mother of the desired child places it on her domestic altar, where it is worshipped in a shrine, or she passes it on to the next generation.
The present, well-crafted ‘Akuaba doll’ is carved from hard, brown wood, in the traditional shape and dyed black. The large, round head has holes around its edges, so that it may be hung on necklaces. The lower part of the face is slightly arched under the wide eyebrow arches and displays a long, slender nose as well as small angular eyes and a similar mouth. The long neck has 5 thick, grooved rings – a sign for a healthy well-nourished existence for the desired child. The round, short arms stick out at right angles from the body and are reduced in size at the ends where they become small ‘hands’. The breasts, navel and small nub on the back, between the shoulder blades, are accentuated. The long, round body stands, without legs, on a thick round base carved out from the same piece. This Ashanti ‘Akuba doll’ wears a necklace made from small, long, golden-yellow glass beads. Overall it is a perfect and accomplished object, with a good old shiny patina and colour abrasion on exposed areas due to years of use. No damage. Height: 33 cm; first half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Austrian private collection.

Lit.:
'Afrikanische Kunst' by Stefan Eisenhofer & Karin Guggeis, ill. 24 and 25.