Description: Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE GJPaw Auctions is pleased to offer a fine Biiga (or doll) Fertility Figure from the Mossi People, Burkina Faso, West Africa. Dolls have been with us since the dawn of civilization. They have served as sacred items and as play toys for children; and they still do today. Among the Mossi people of Burkina Fasso, young girls still carry dolls called biiga, which translates as ‘child.’ However, like most African dolls biiga are not only used for play, but also for magic. Crafted from a single piece of wood by the village carver or smith, biiga are presented to young Mossi girls as toys. The dolls are cylindrical in shape with a semi-circular head, which sometimes features a downward extension out of the forehead. Although it may look like an elephant trunk or even a phallus, it is said to imitate the hairstyle worn by unmarried Mossi girls. Incised lines in the wood symbolize scarification marks and the beauty of adulthood, while the full mature breasts depict the splendor of motherhood. The girls are taught to take exceptional care of their dolls. They wash, feed and carry them around like a mother would her child. The dolls are sometimes dressed in leather clothes and decorated with cowry shells and beads. In this regard there is little difference between the doll play of western children and the Mossi girls of West Africa. The biiga, however, do not end up on shelves when the girls outgrow them. They believe that any mistreatment of the doll will bring misfortune on their own future children. As such, the dolls are cared for until the girls grow into women and bear children of their own. In fact, the dolls are so sacred that the first drops of a new mother’s milk are given to their biiga dolls. This highly characteristic example measures 2.25 inches in width by 2.25 inches in depth by 8 inches in length (5.71 cm by 5.71 cm by 20.3 cm), including the specially designed, hand-made, iron museum display stand. It is in very good condition and dates to the late 20th century. It is a fine collector’s piece for anyone interested in African art. It is guaranteed authentic. GJPaw Auctions has been in the Art business for over 25 years and is now expanding its operation to eBay. Our goal is to bring the same experience and excitement of collecting that we have been delivering in-person to collectors across the globe at Primitive in Chicago. Every object we sell online has been carefully hand-selected with special attention to detail, quality, and significance. We ship worldwide. Add GJPaw to Sellers you Follow and please take a moment to look at our other auction items. A0800-663
Price: 995 USD
Location: Chicago, Illinois
End Time: 2024-10-07T19:23:37.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Color: Brown
Maker: Mossi
Material: Wood
Original/Reproduction: Original
Tribe: Mossi
