Mar 10, 2011 - Sale 2239

Sale 2239 - Lot 175

Unsold
Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500
AFRICAN DOLL MADE IN THE OLD SOUTH (BLACK MEMORABILIA--DOLLS, TOYS, ETC.) Small carved wood doll. 7 inches high and 1-3/4 inches in diameter at the base; pecan (?) wood with fine original patina. Georgia, circa late 18th to mid 19th century
Set Alert for Similar Items

Additional Details

a very rare example of an african doll made in america's ante-bellum south, bearing definite similarities to the fertility dolls made for the young Zaramo girls of Tanzania. Called Mwana Hiti, literally "child of wood," these dolls are given to young initiates upon coming of age, and are meant to be cared for by the adolescent girls as they would an actual infant. Acquired at an estate sale in rural Georgia in 2007.