= Antique African ASHANTI Asante Ghana Sitting AKUA BA Fertility Figure Akuaba

Description

Antique African ASHANTI Asante Ghana Tall Sitting AKUA BA Maternity Fertility Figure Akuaba AKAN
For your consideration is an authentic antique tribal artifact from Africa - a Sitting and Nursing Female Figure, known as an Akua'ba
Ashanti (Asante) people of today's Southern Ghana. The Ashanti are an Akan ethnic group, descendants of the powerful and gold-wealthy Ashanti Empire (1670-1957)
Rendered in a local hardwood, carved from a single piece of wood with a characteristic dark black finish
Displays a sitting female figure, nursing a small child on her lap. Disc-form head with a high forehead and small lips, congruent with the width of the nose. As is customary, the face is portrayed at the lower third of the disc. Slightly facing left. Sweeping eyebrows that converge at the bridge of the nose. Three-ringed tapered neck form. Pointed breasts, the left feeding the lapped child.
Patterned on the back with a carved geometric design, complimenting the scarifications on the spine and ornamentation on the stool foot. Pronounced buttocks and knees, with feet at a 90-degree angle from the stool and ground
Known as an Akua'ba - one of the most well-known forms of African sculpture in the West. Akuaba are fertility figures with different variations across the lands of the Akan people. Based on the legend of Akua - a young woman who was unable to bear a child, but desired it more than everything. She consulted a priest, who advised her to commission a figure like this one and carry it around with her as she would a child. The locals would tease and laugh at Akua, giving a name to the figure Akua'Ba (Akua's child). Eventually, Akua gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, and even those who laughed at her soon began following the practice. Barren women or those who have recently married began to carry around their own Akua'ba, to reverse or avoid the curse of infertility. The figures were blessed by priests, and once accepted, must be cared for as if they were a child. Once it's owner becomes a mother, Akua'ba are returned to the priest that consecrated them and displayed in their shrine as a gratitude offering to the child, as well as a symbol and evidence of the power of the Spirit. In some cases, the figures are kept as a family heirloom or given to the newborn child to play with
A striking piece, exhibiting the characteristic motifs of the Ashanti and their type of Akua'ba
Ashanti People, Ghana, Western Africa - early/mid 20th century
Tagged on the underside of the stool with a barcode tag from the previous owner - the prestigious Gordon Lankton Collection
References:
The Tribal Arts of Africa - Jean-Baptiste Bacquart (2002);
The Ashanti Of Ghana - Sonia Bleeker (1966);
Fertility Figure (Akua Ba) - Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (1979.206.75)
(https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/312279);
Provenance:
The Gordon B. Lankton Collection of African Art
This and all African artifacts we sell are 100% guaranteed to be Genuine, Authentic and Antique, NOT modern reproductions or souvenirs made for the tourist trade. We will provide provenance whenever possible, and a Certificate of Authenticity from our gallery can be attached upon buyer request
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Measurements:
Approx. 18.5" tall (47 cm) x 6" (15 cm) x 6" (15 cm)
Weighs about 2.5 lbs.
Condition:
Please see
photos below. A crude repair on the left side of the body and child as pictured. Spots of missing black finish and rubbing at extremities
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