Fali Beaded Fertility Doll Cowrie Shells Twin Heads Cameroon African Art

Description

Title
Fali Beaded Fertility Doll Cowrie Shells Twin Heads Cameroon African Art
Type of Object
Doll
Country of Origin
Cameroon
People
Fali
Materials
Wood, cowrie shells, trade beads, cotton threads, leather, and metal
Approximate Age
20th century
Height (in)
9.25
Width (in)
8
Depth (in)
4
Overall Condition
Fair. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
Damage/Repair
Embedded dirt
Additional Information:
"In Cameroon, when a young Fali man becomes betrothed, he makes a doll(ham pilu) from wood and decorates it with hair, beads, and other small objects. He then gives it to his fiance, who wears it in a baby carrier on her back. The doll is a symbol of their marriage commitment and represents their future child. The man gives the doll the gender that he desires for his first-born. The young woman cares for the figure until the promised child is born; at this point, the couple carefully stores the doll away. "Fali doll- A good example of this rare doll can be seen on the cover of "ISN'T S/HE A DOLL,PLAY AND RITUAL IN AFRICAN SCULPTURE," put out by UCLA's Fowler Museum of Cultural History.
ME0718
**122337**
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