Africa | Ghana
Akuaba doll
Ghana
Akuaba fertility doll
Ashanti
Early 20th century
Carved wood and beads
Height: 27 cm – 10 ½ in.
Provenance
Collection Philippe Ratton, Paris
Private collection, Paris
Collection Olivier Klejman, Paris
Collection Beppe Berna, Bologna, Italia
Private collection, Bergamo, Italia
Collection Cécile Kerner, Brussels
Collection Guilhem Montagut, Barcelona
Akuaba doll 27 cm / Galerie Flak
Price on request
This type of Ashanti figure is called akuaba. It represents youth and fertility. These carved figures were said to facilitate the conception of a child and ensure safe delivery at birth. Ashanti (Akan) women carried the dolls with them at all times. They treated them as if they were living babies, cuddling them, dressing them up, etc.
In terms of symbolism, the flat, disk-like head represents an ideal of beauty. The ringed neck is a symbol of beauty and prosperity. The small scars seen on the face of the akua’ba were made for medicinal purposes as protection against convulsions.
In terms of symbolism, the flat, disk-like head represents an ideal of beauty. The ringed neck is a symbol of beauty and prosperity. The small scars seen on the face of the akua’ba were made for medicinal purposes as protection against convulsions.
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