Ex private collection - Paris - France
1st half 20th century
dim: 32x4x6.5cm
weight: 0.3kg
Very rare (the whole body AND the heads are still covered by leather) "Janus" Biga fertility doll from the Mossy ethnic group
A cylindrical, elongated body whose only relief is the breast surmounted by a small face with a crested cap.
The Mossi doll, Biiga, has a complex symbolism in African tribal art and different functions at first sight contradictory: for the little girl she is at the same time the power that will make her get a child and the baby that she learns to care. Biiga goes from mother to daughter or sister to sister. These dolls accompany them during the initiation and after the wedding.
- Total nr of items
- 1
- Object
- Doll
- Indigenous object name
- Janus Biga fertility "doll"
- Ethnic group/ culture
- Mossi
- Region/ country
- Burkina Faso
- Material
- Leather, Wood
- Period
- 1st half 20th century
- Condition
- Excellent condition, barely used with minimal signs of wear
- Sold with stand
- No
- Dimensions
- 32×4×6.5 cm
- Weight
- 0.3 kg