Bidspirit auction | Asante (Ashanti) Carved Wood Akua'ba

Asante (Ashanti) Carved Wood Akua'ba Fertility Doll - An Asante (Ashanti) Akua'ba fertility doll from Ghana, hand-carved from a single piece of wood. The figure displays characteristic features including a large, flattened disc-shaped head, symbolising beauty and intelligence according to Akan tradition. The face is carved with high arched eyebrows that meet at the bridge of a slender nose, above narrow slit eyes and a small mouth. The neck is articulated with horizontal rings, and the body consists of a columnar torso with short, horizontal, unarticulated arms, terminating in a flared, circular base. Two cowrie shells are suspended from the ears with thin cords. The reverse of the head exhibits horizontal carving marks and some irregular dark staining. No maker's marks or inscriptions are present. Height: approximately 25 cm.