Object Record
Images
Metadata
Artist |
Cameroon, Dowayo Peoples |
Title |
Namji Fertility Doll |
Year Range from |
1900 |
Medium |
wood with use of patina, beads, leather, metal |
Dimensions |
H-11.5 W-4.5 inches |
Accession Number |
2021.5 |
Department |
Sculpture |
Description |
Namji dolls are sculpted for women among the Dowayo people of Cameroon and are symbols of fertility. Beads, shells, metal decorations, and talismans in leather pouches often decorate the abdomen to represent children. This wooden doll has a small head with a flat face and back of head. The top of the head has a 3D semi circle form. The face has two indents for eyes and one for a small mouth. The neck is long and covered with red and brown beads. The arms are in a square form with arms hanging down on each side, hands meeting hips. The entire body is decorated in little designs and line incisions. The torso is wide rounded, covered in multi-colored beads, with some bound several times around creating layers. The legs are in a butterfly, squat position. The nether region is covered by a large leather sack etched with fine linear designs. There are also two rectangular shaped leather talismans attached to the doll, one in the front and the other, in the back. They appear to be leather sacks too. The leather sack at the back is attached to a long leather form by a metal ring. A few bits of hammered metal are also attached to the doll. |
Credit line |
Dr. and Mrs. Pascal James Imperato |
Search Terms |
1900s Dowayo Peoples Beads Masks Metal African Cameroon Carving Doll Figural Leather Patina Pigment Sculpture |