Namji or Namchi Leather Fertility Doll Cameroon African Art
AvailabilityIn stock
SKU
113815
Special Price
$162.00
Regular Price
$235.00
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$13.98
| Title | Namji or Namchi Leather Fertility Doll Cameroon African Art |
|---|---|
| Type of Object | Doll |
| Country of Origin | Cameroon |
| People | Namchi or Namji |
| Materials | wood/bamboo, leather, glass beads, unknown fill |
| Approximate Age | 20th Century |
| Height (in) | 10.5 |
| Width (in) | 4 |
| Depth (in) | 2.75 |
| Dimensions | Height: 10.5 Inches Width: 4 Inches Depth: 2.75 Inches |
| Overall Condition | fair |
| Damage/Repair | worn and discolored leather. cracked wooden legs |
Additional Information: A well used Namchi/Namji fertlity doll made from a wood skeleton and wrapped with a leather covering. The head has leather tassles hanging from the top.
Namchi dolls-Among the Namchi people of Cameroon, unadorned dolls made by blacksmiths are played with by young children. When beads, bells, coins, and other ornaments are added, however, the doll becomes a surrogate baby for a woman who was having difficulty getting pregnant. The woman treats the figure like a baby, feeding it and carrying it on her back. (See "ISN'T S/HE A DOLL-PLAY AND RITUAL IN AFRICAN SCULPTURE" by Cameron, published by the Fowler Museum-UCLA.)