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

Discussion in 'Tribal Art' started by James H, Feb 25, 2021.

  1. James H

    James H New Member

    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?


    EE5DED2D-664B-4689-982D-F440C2AAEDE2.jpeg 59D3A6B0-89C0-45DE-8DD0-09289567B58E.jpeg BD03B4D4-6FDD-4169-A890-E93FD874C7A4.jpeg 640B7705-58A1-4552-BF57-BFA23E853D93.jpeg 2FBBAE13-2200-4382-A28B-FE7649C42B99.jpeg 1A18FD5A-48EB-468C-97A0-90E537E88790.jpeg 238B071B-2171-445D-9A79-CBE7A5253A9B.jpeg 29D8C345-9098-40D7-B4B0-1C2F630A83BB.jpeg F50C26BB-9C4C-4D3B-AC86-64828B09D1E8.jpeg 518D5CE8-D005-4ED8-B64A-FF5A118F7115.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2021
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  2. wiscbirddog

    wiscbirddog Well-Known Member

    Please edit your post and select 'show all full size' for the photos. TY
     
    James H likes this.
  3. James H

    James H New Member

    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?
     
  4. Potteryplease

    Potteryplease Well-Known Member

    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....
     
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  5. James H

    James H New Member

    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. FEC0EB41-CD74-4A6F-83C9-2125FF570820.jpeg 44D6E74A-892F-4A16-AEDF-0E226FA9ACF0.jpeg 04229C77-C8DC-41CA-9E24-F7A7F3F25AEE.jpeg 9FBC029A-9F00-4E4F-975B-E25210B18286.jpeg
     
  6. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

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

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    upload_2021-2-25_14-43-37.jpeg

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

    Taupou Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  9. James H

    James H New Member


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

    James H New Member

  11. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    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:
    [​IMG]
    https://www.hamillgallery.com/BOA/BoaMasks/BoaMask02.html

    [​IMG]
    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:

    [​IMG]
    https://www.bwoom-gallery.com/Boa Ahnenfigur Figure 03101 Kongo.html

    [​IMG]
    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.
     
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  12. Taupou

    Taupou Well-Known Member

    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.
     
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  13. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    good call..........!!!
     
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  14. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

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  15. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    ahemm.....Great Call !!!

    U on a roll..2MB !!!;):happy::happy:
     
    2manybooks likes this.
  16. Alesia42

    Alesia42 Active Member

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

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

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