Lot: 208

Online Auction

Seated female figure

Ghana, Akan

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
German Private Collection H: 17.7 inch sold

wood, kaolin, glass beads, base

A striking detail are the feet of the figure, which point backwards. Thus she could represent an "aboatia" (pl. "mmoatia").

The "mmoatia" live in the forests and have a great knowledge of herbs and medicines, which they like to pass on to the people. However, they are also known to be up to some kind of trickery and thus represent unpredictability, mockery and deceit. They function as messengers between the realms of spirit and corporeality (cf. AHDRC 0054926).