Need help with African fertility doll and African fertility staffs. Possibly Boa tribe or DRC?

I recently purchased what I was told is a African fertility doll. Hand carved with a texturized, painted clay exterior. Total height is approximately 18-19” tall (she measures about 14” from forehead where feathers begin down to feet). Age, origins, and type of wood so far unknown. Possibly Boa tribe or DRC? If anyone is able to provide more info it would be appreciated

I also purchased two African fertility staffs. I was told there used to be a 24” chain connecting the two and it would be worn around the neck. Other than that I know nothing about age, origin, etc. any ideas?

 

Please edit your post and select 'show all full size' for the photos. TY

 

Someone told me these are reproductions but to my eye they look absolutely old and authentic. Curious if anyone can weigh in on that as well?

 

The feathers on the head look pretty intact / complete. How are they affixed to the head? One would expect that if something was decades old, some of those woulda been lost along the way. Or damaged or bent etc.

But maybe someone just took really good care....

 

it’s tough to tell because it’s a full head of feathers but I can see some red thread on the skull, maybe they are woven on? The feathers are definitely old, they are very brittle and broken in many places.

 

It's possible that the female carving is older.....but tha many feathers would be unusual..

 

not unheard of...........but unusual for an older carving...

 

Based solely on the photos, I would think this is a fairly recent item, designed to appeal to the decorator or tourist market. Primary reason being that it appears to draw from a number of tribal styles, but doesn't really represent any particular one.

The heart-shaped, white face is commonly seen on Lega masks, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The general form of the thick, bent legs is also associated with Lega sculpture. However, the straight shoulders, large protruding ears, and feathered headdress are not.

Older Lega, as well as most African sculptures in general, are usually of smooth, finished, more polished wood, rather this painted, rough, "crusty" look. African carvers and artists are skilled in producing items that appear to have age, so just because something looks old, it may not be.

The metal figures I am not familiar with, but since relatively few African tribes were noted for their metal work, it shouldn't be too hard to identify where they are from, if they are authentic.

 

Very very interesting. Makes a lot of sense I really appreciate your expertise.

 

the closest things I have been able to find on the staffs is this comb from Benin. Very strange

https://culturesinternational.com/p...que-hair-pick-benin-male-and-female-figurines

 

The Boa people of northern Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) are known for making masks with the same type of ears as on your figure, which are rather unique:

https://www.hamillgallery.com/BOA/BoaMasks/BoaMask02.html


https://art-africain-traditionnel.com/en/pieces/254-pongdudu-mask-boa-congo-sold.html

Less common are Boa ancestor figures, which show many of the features of your figure:


https://www.bwoom-gallery.com/Boa Ahnenfigur Figure 03101 Kongo.html


https://www.pinterest.com/pin/518125132130330589/

Without provenance, I would not venture a guess as to whether yours is "genuine", in the sense of having been made for local use, or whether it was made for sale to outsiders.

 

Again, though, it appears a mix of different tribal motifs and methods, especially when it comes to the feathers and rough painted surface.

Also, since it was specifically sold as a "fertility figure," I would suspect it was designed to appeal primarily to the tourist market, rather than as an item with cultural significance.

 

good call..........!!!

 

The small brass figures are amulets that signify membership in the Ogboni society among the Yoruba (Nigeria). They are called "edan". Larger versions are worn over the shoulder as a sign of office in the society.


https://anthro.amnh.org/north

https://www.imodara.com/discover/nigeria-yoruba-edan-ogboni-osugbo-staff/

https://www.pinterest.com/JPCA6/edan-ogboni/

 

ahemm.....Great Call !!!

U on a roll..2MB !!!

 

just a question....is that a Luduan on the table (6th pic) in the background?

 

a question for whom.......James hasn't been seen since Mar 5th...