Items Similar to Ashanti Akua’ba Fertility Doll Ghana African Tribal Art Ethnographic Sculpture
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14
Ashanti Akua’ba Fertility Doll Ghana African Tribal Art Ethnographic Sculpture
$950
£720.23
€830.24
CA$1,337.92
A$1,483.66
CHF 779.55
MX$18,127.77
NOK 9,753.26
SEK 9,155.10
DKK 6,197.87
About the Item
Antique Ashanti Akua’ba Fertility Doll, Ghana – African Tribal Art, Ethnographic Sculpture
A rare Ashanti (Asante) Akua’ba fertility doll from Ghana, hand-carved in wood and steeped in cultural and spiritual symbolism. This traditional African fertility figure exemplifies the artistry and heritage of the Akan people and remains one of the most iconic forms of tribal art from West Africa.
Cultural Significance:
Akua’ba dolls are historically associated with fertility, motherhood, and protection during childbirth. According to Ashanti legend, the first Akua’ba was carried by a woman named Akua, who after treating the figure as her child, conceived and gave birth to a daughter. From then on, these dolls became a symbol of fertility blessings and maternal hope.
Design & Symbolism:
* Disc-shaped head represents Ashanti ideals of beauty and vitality.
* Elongated ringed neck suggests prosperity and elegance.
* Minimalist, stylized features embody serenity and balance.
* Flat reverse allowed women to carry the figure in cloth wraps, mirroring the way infants were carried.
Use & Tradition:
Traditionally, women carried Akua’ba dolls to promote conception, ensure safe delivery, and bless the child with beauty and health. They were also entrusted to young girls as a teaching tool for maternal care.
Collectible Value:
Beyond their ritual function, Akua’ba dolls are celebrated as African ethnographic sculpture and highly collectible examples of tribal art and Akan craftsmanship. Their clean, geometric forms influenced modern design and are featured in major museum collections of African art worldwide.
Dimensions: 13.25 in H. x 6.5 in W. x 2.5 in Depth.
Condition: Very good vintage condition, with natural age patina adding authenticity.
From Ghana, 1930-1940.
An exceptional artifact of Akan culture and Ashanti heritage, this Akua’ba doll is ideal for collectors of African tribal art, fertility figures, ethnographic sculpture, or symbolic decorative objects.
The form of the akua’ba has also gained currency as a general symbol of good luck. The Akan (/'ækæn/) are a Meta-ethnicity living in the southern regions of present-day Ghana and Ivory Coast in West Africa. The Akan language (also known as Twi/Fante) is a group of dialects within the Central Tano branch of the Potou–Tano subfamily of the Niger–Congo family.
- Dimensions:Height: 13.25 in (33.66 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Moreno Valley, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: AFD8251stDibs: LU906846531212
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
1stDibs seller since 2011
3,104 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Moreno Valley, CA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllAntique Ashanti Akua’ba Fertility Doll, Ghana Traditional African Art
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Ashanti Akua’ba Fertility Doll, Ghana – Traditional African Art
A striking Akua’ba fertility doll from the Ashanti (Asante) people of Ghana, this hand-carved wooden figure em...
Category
Early 20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Decorative Hand-Carved African Statue from Kenya
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Decorative ebony well hand-carved African statue of a young women.
Handmade in Kenya, Africa.
Category
Mid-20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ebony
African Ghana Wood Decorative Mask Wall Sculpture
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage African Wood Decorative Mask Sculpture.
Hand-carved African Mask from Ghana.
African decorative wall mask sculpture, hand-carved of sese wood with intricate patterns.
The African mask is carved and embossed with geometrical designs that forms a symbol of power, love and serenity.
Great decorative piece of African wall art...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Architectural Indian Carved Wood Temple Sculpture of Mother and Child
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Architectural Hand Carved Wood Temple Sculpture of Mother and Child from India.
Hand Carved Indian Temple Carving Statue from Gujarat Dep...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Indian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Stirrup Vessel Wood Hand- Carved Massim People Papua New Guinea
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Wood Carved Stirrup Vessel, or Pipe, Massim people, Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea.
Hand-carved wood in the form of a large animal with a top ci...
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
African Wood Decorative Mask Wall Sculpture
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage African Wood Decorative Mask, hand-carved African mask from Ghana of a smiling lady face with a nice hairdo.
African mask, hand-carved wood wall sculpture decoration.
The Afr...
Category
Late 20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
You May Also Like
Akua'ba Ritual Fertility Doll
Located in Kastrup, DK
Carved wood Akuaba, sometimes known as an Ashanti doll or a Fanti doll.
Untouched condition with a beautiful natural age-related patina.
Akua'ba (sometim...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
African Art Statue "Fertility Figure"
Located in Norton, MA
A precious African Art Statue with oven balls for hair, basket weave texture on the face, and wearing a loin cloth. The brass panels are applied on ...
Category
Early 20th Century African Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
African Namji Fertility Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
Doted on like an actual child, this carved doll was once owned by a young girl among the Namji people of northwest Cameroon. Carted around by its owner wherever she went and lovingly...
Category
Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century African Statuette
Located in Dallas, TX
This Statuette origins from Benin in Africa, circa 1900.
Beautiful small details.
Category
Early 20th Century Beninese Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Ashanti Maternal Fertility Figure
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is an Ashanti female fertility figure from Ghana, West Africa, circa Mid-20th century. Carved from a single block of wood, the statue depicts a female with typical coiffure ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
$2,000 Sale Price
33% Off
20th Century African Cameroon Namji Doll for Prosperity, Health & Fertility
Located in Miami, FL
20th Century African Cameroon Namji Doll for Prosperity, Health & Fertility
Offered for sale in a 20th-century African Namji doll from the Namji tribe of ...
Category
20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
