Mossi, Burkina Faso: 'Biga’ fertility doll.
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 ‘biga’ is a fine and unusually old example of such a fertility doll of the Mossi: with head, fine etched crested coiffure, ears, offset neck and a round, cylindrical body with breasts. A special feature of this piece is not only the convincing, old and shiny usage patina on the wood of the head, but rather also that the neck and body are encased entirely with black leather, and on the front, between both breasts, a white cowrie-shell (as a symbol of fertility) is attached. Minimal blemishes to the underside of the leather casing, otherwise no damage. H: 18 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Hungarian Private Collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
02.11.2015 - 14:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 300.-
Mossi, Burkina Faso: 'Biga’ fertility doll.
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 ‘biga’ is a fine and unusually old example of such a fertility doll of the Mossi: with head, fine etched crested coiffure, ears, offset neck and a round, cylindrical body with breasts. A special feature of this piece is not only the convincing, old and shiny usage patina on the wood of the head, but rather also that the neck and body are encased entirely with black leather, and on the front, between both breasts, a white cowrie-shell (as a symbol of fertility) is attached. Minimal blemishes to the underside of the leather casing, otherwise no damage. H: 18 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Hungarian Private Collection.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 02.11.2015 - 14:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 28.10. - 02.11.2015 |