Fanti Fertility Figurine

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The Fanti people of Ghana are one of the peoples generally thought to not possess a masquerading tradition. The Fanti use acua’ba dolls, which differ from those of the Asante, their northern neighbors. As this is a matrilineal society, the acua’ba are female. They are used as fertility figurines in shrines or worn by women either to induce conception or, during pregnancy, to assure the birth of a beautiful child, preferably, a daughter. The acua’ba is fed, carried and bathed as if it were a living baby.

This particular doll was crafted with masterful attention to detail and delicate treatment of facial features, hair, body tattoos, etc.

This figurine has been in the Raskin collection for years.

Provenance: Raskin Private Collection

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