Ashanti Akua’ba Dolls

Name: Ashanti Akua’ba Dolls

Made by and When: Hand carved in Ghana by unknown artisans, undated

Material: Wood, paint

Marks: One of the smaller dolls has a “Made in Ghana” paper label under the base.

Height:  The smallest is 13-1/2 inches. The two middle-sized measure 14-1/2. The tallest measures 25-1/2 inches.

Hair, Eyes, Mouths: Carved disc-shaped faces

Clothes/Attributes: The smaller dolls are nude. All have carved, exposed breasts. Carved X’s on the lower body of the tallest represent patterned clothing. The tallest holds a baby.

Other: Typically used to promote fertility, “consecrated by priests and carried by Ashanti women who hope to conceive a child” (Female Fertility Figure), Ashanti Akua’ba dolls are often incorporated into doll collections or displayed with other African art.  Examples of 20^th-century Ashanti Akua’ba dolls are illustrated, and the history of the dolls/figures is described at the reference link below the gallery.

Gallery

Reference

Female Fertility Figure (Akuaba)

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