Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 16

Set of Three Beaded Ndebele Fertility Dolls

$1,180per set
£904.33per set
€1,039.37per set
CA$1,657.37per set
A$1,854.90per set
CHF 970.97per set
MX$22,533.68per set
NOK 12,328.90per set
SEK 11,634.43per set
DKK 7,755.49per set

About the Item

A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll of the Ndebele people of South Africa. These traditional dolls are made with cylindrical wooden bodies, wrapped in cotton and highly decorated with metal rings, natural materials, and dense beadwork. One of several dolls used in Ndebele culture to commemorate transitional phases of life, a fertility doll is given to a new bride after her wedding ceremony to encourage fertility and signify her new social status as a married woman. Cared for and cherished until her first child, the doll prepares the young woman for parenthood and is thought to bring good luck. From the collection of Frances and Gary Comer. Individual Dimensions: Left Doll: 3.5"W x 3.5"D x 10.75"H Middle Doll: 3.5"W x 3.5"D x 8"H Right Doll: 3.5"W x 3.5"D x 10"H
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10.75 in (27.31 cm)Width: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 3
  • Style:
    Folk Art (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Cotton,Wood,Beaded
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    20th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CFC556ABC1stDibs: LU820025988722

More From This Seller

View All
Beaded Ndebele Initiation Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Wood

Beaded Ndebele Fertility Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...
Category

20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Beaded Ndebele Fertility Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...
Category

20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Wood

Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cotton, Wood, Twine

You May Also Like

Collection of Ndebele Fertility Dolls
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A group of six collected Ndebele hand beaded fertility dolls of various sizes and designs. The dolls are made in secret by the maternal grandmother of ...
Category

20th Century African Tribal Toys and Dolls

Materials

Beads

African Yoruba Cowrie Shell, Beaded Fertility Doll, 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
African Yoruba Cowrie Shell, Beaded Fertility Doll, 20th Century Offered for sale is a 20th century African Yoruba hand-carved wood fertility doll made in the Tribal style. These d...
Category

20th Century Congolese Tribal Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Shell, Beads

Namji Doll with Beads, Cowries, Coins and Metal Rings, Cameroon Mid 20th century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Sometimes referred to as dolls, this is a highly abstract figure with conical head, arms and legs held out from body, long columnar neck wrapped with mulitple strands of different si...
Category

Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Pair of African Cowrie Fertility Idol Figures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of African (19/20th Cent) seated Cowrie fertility idol figures with a surface of small shells and beads and mounted on modern silver metal bases
Category

20th Century African Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Shell, Wood, Paint

Rare Form of Beaded Doll, Kenyan Coastal Region
Located in London, GB
This mid-twentieth century beaded doll, which likely originates from the Kenyan Coastal Region around Mombasa, exhibits a rare form with a wonderfully simp...
Category

Mid-20th Century Kenyan Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Hardwood, Beads

Akua´ba fertility dolls, Ashanti, Ghana. 20th century
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Akua´ba (Akuba/Akwaba) fertility dolls from Ghana. 20th century. 2 disc-headed carved figures, similar but not identical. Good condition. Signs of wear consistent with age.
Category

20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood