Fertility Doll

Fante, Ghana
Early 20th c

Provenance: Borris Magasanik, Cambridge, MA.

Published: Designs for Living: Symbolic Communication in African Art, Peabody Harvard University Museum, 1982, 

Wooden dolls have played an essential role in many African cultures as objects of devotion, protection, and play. Among the Fante tribe of Ghana, wooden dolls served as powerful symbols of fertility, protection, and spirituality. These dolls were carved with intricate details and adorned with colorful beads, symbolizing the tribe’s cultural heritage and beliefs. The Fante tribe believed that wooden dolls possessed supernatural powers and were capable of communicating with the spirit world.  These dolls were also given to young girls as toys, symbolizing their future roles as wives and mothers. The wooden doll on offer is an excellent example of the aesthetic qualities of Fante dolls. The dark brown, well-handled patina is evidence of its age and prolonged use. The elongated head, ringed neck, diminutive face and carved beasts are typical features of Fante dolls, representing the tribe’s cultural symbols and beliefs. The low-relief symbols carved at the back of the head are significant and represent the tribe’s spiritual connection to the divine. The beaded necklaces, and earrings are also typical of Fante dolls and reflect the tribe’s artistic expression and mastery of beadwork.