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In village life across a broad swath of southern Africa girls made their own dolls, often with the assistance of friends, an older sister or parent, out of found materials such as yarn, rags, sticks and clay. In modern times new and recycled plastic dolls are everywhere. Traditionally, dolls were also worn by mature women hoping to enhance their fertility; it was out of this tradition that the trade in beaded Ndebele dolls evolved. The beaded bands and dangling rings emulate cholwane, beaded straw rings worn by Ndebele women at weddings and other rites of passage. This doll and others on the website were acquired by a late friend between 1958 and 1962 in South Africa. They remained with her for ensuing half century. The interior is straw wrapped in vintage cloth. The beading (except for some minor repairs) is entirely original. This example is 11" tall. Unmounted. Guaranteed to be at least 50 years old. « Inquire About This Item »
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In village life across a broad swath of southern Africa girls made their own dolls, often with the assistance of friends, an older sister or parent, out of found materials such as yarn, rags, sticks and clay. In modern times new and recycled plastic dolls are everywhere. Traditionally, dolls were also worn by mature women hoping to enhance their fertility; it was out of this tradition that the trade in beaded Ndebele dolls evolved. The beaded bands and dangling rings emulate cholwane, beaded straw rings worn by Ndebele women at weddings and other rites of passage. This doll and others on the website were acquired by a late friend between 1958 and 1962 in South Africa. They remained with her for ensuing half century. The interior is straw wrapped in vintage cloth. The beading (except for some minor repairs) is entirely original; some minor loss to an attachment. This doll has a fabulous coiffure and is especially richly detailed. Note the skilfully rendered miniature jokolo apron. She is 9" tall. Unmounted. Guaranteed to be at least 50 years old. « Inquire About This Item »
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In village life across a broad swath of southern Africa girls made their own dolls, often with the assistance of friends, an older sister or parent, out of found materials such as yarn, rags, sticks and clay. In modern times new and recycled plastic dolls are everywhere. Traditionally, dolls were also worn by mature women hoping to enhance their fertility; it was out of this tradition that the trade in beaded Ndebele dolls evolved. The beaded bands and dangling rings emulate cholwane, beaded straw rings worn by Ndebele women at weddings and other rites of passage. This doll and others on the website were acquired by a late friend between 1958 and 1962 in South Africa. They remained with her for ensuing half century. The interior is straw wrapped in vintage cloth. The beading (except for some minor repairs) is entirely original and extends the length of the body, even where it is concealed beneath the massing tack studded rings. This example is 7" tall. Unmounted. Guaranteed to be at least 50 years old. « Inquire About This Item »
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In village life across a broad swath of southern Africa girls made their own dolls, often with the assistance of friends, an older sister or parent, out of found materials such as yarn, rags, sticks and clay. In modern times new and recycled plastic dolls are everywhere. Traditionally, dolls were also worn by mature women hoping to enhance their fertility; it was out of this tradition that the trade in beaded Ndebele dolls evolved. The beaded bands and dangling rings emulate cholwane, beaded straw rings worn by Ndebele women at weddings and other rites of passage. This doll and others on the website were acquired by a late friend between 1958 and 1962 in South Africa. They remained with her for ensuing half century. The interior is straw wrapped in vintage cloth. The beading (except for some minor repairs) is entirely original. This example is 8.5" tall. Unmounted. Guaranteed to be at least 50 years old. « Inquire About This Item »
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In village life across a broad swath of southern Africa girls made their own dolls, often with the assistance of friends, an older sister or parent, out of found materials such as yarn, rags, sticks and clay. In modern times new and recycled plastic dolls are everywhere. Traditionally, dolls were also worn by mature women hoping to enhance their fertility; it was out of this tradition that the trade in beaded Ndebele dolls evolved. The beaded bands and dangling rings emulate cholwane, beaded straw rings worn by Ndebele women at weddings and other rites of passage. This doll and others on the website were acquired by a late friend between 1958 and 1962 in South Africa. They remained with her for ensuing half century. The interior is straw wrapped in vintage cloth. The beading (except for some minor repairs) is entirely original. This example is 8" tall. Unmounted. Guaranteed to be at least 50 years old. « Inquire About This Item »
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A similar figurine- quite possibly by the same hand- is illustrated on page of Cameron's "Isn't She a Doll?" The text describes the doll as bone covered in bees wax and probably ritual in nature. The only certainty is that this is one of a pair of figurines collected between 1958 and 1962 in Mali by Thomas McNemar- then working as an independent dealer operating out of Abidjan. For a time Mr. McNemar was a prime source of West African art for a number of New York dealers. Crystallized surface, some age cracks. 8.5"; Price on request. « Inquire About This Item »
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A similar figurine- quite possibly by the same hand- is illustrated on page of Cameron's "Isn't She a Doll?" The text describes the doll as bone covered in bees wax and probably ritual in nature. The only certainty is that this is one of a pair of figurines collected between 1958 and 1962 in Mali by Thomas McNemar- then working as an independent dealer operating out of Abidjan. For a time Mr. McNemar was a prime source of West African art for a number of New York dealers. Crystallized surface, some age cracks. 9"; Price on request. « Inquire About This Item »
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With its elongated face and full cheeks this fine old mask is instantly recognizable as Bini. It was performed ceremonially by members of the Ibo Ekpo society. Evidence of its use can be interpreted from patterns of wear on the carving's interior. However, it's age can not be precisely determined as its background lacks adequate documentation. It would be safe to say that it was first performed some time in the first half of the 20th century. Formerly the property of an East Coast collection 12.5"; price on request « Inquire About This Item »
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A dancer's costume may be entirely constructed from fiber, cloth or even leaves. It may also have a wooden head piece or a beaded mask. Additional details for his or her regalia may include a carved staff or two, a skirt or anklets bristling with bells or rattles and in the case of Gelede performers gender specific body parts rendered in wood. Body masks are well known among the Makonde, but they were nearly as ubiquitous with the Yoruba of Nigeria and Benin. This example differs from such masks in that here the breasts have been rendered independent of a belly. Each breast has been carved separately. Their sides have been inscribed with a classic Yoruba motif of interlocking bands and their interiors have been hollowed out. Next they were affixed to an unadorned cross piece for anchoring to the costume proper. Presented on a hardwood base. Pre 1950. 11.5" in depth, 8.5" across. Price on request « Inquire About This Item »
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In scale, form and condition this prototypical Swazi headrest is at the top of its class. It is a mid 20th century example of the classic Hhohho style that dates back centuries. According to Gordon Crawford, who collected this headrest in the field and has written an excellent guide on Swazi cultural artifacts, Hhohho headrests ceased being carved in 1955. This specimen is amongst the largest he ever found. The two pleated legs are likened by the Swazi to wives with pleated skirts. 7" tall by 19" long. « Inquire About This Item »
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The Swazi and Zulu are both Nguni peoples of Southeast Africa. Their share common ancestry, history and traditions as well as a common frontier. This strikingly geometric headrest combines formal elements typical of the carving traditions of both groups: the two footed form with a hanging, central umbilicus is classically Swazi while the powerful faceting of the planes and squat legs are more typically the Zulu. Politics, debt, law and order and a political boundary have made it common for Zulu to live and work among Swazi and vice versa. Field collected by David Roberts in Zululand. Longitudinal age crack on one side. Price on request. « Inquire About This Item »
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