BoW-49 / Unden Nyama, Nigeria

Height: 9.5 in / 24.13 cm

ex Zach Feere, CA

Wood, pigment

Known as Uden nyama, these fatting house dolls were given to unmarried girls entering the Ibibio fatting house by their Ebere Society sponsor and carried throughout their time there. The figure represents the beautiful child the girl is hoped to bear after leaving the fatting house and marrying. Beyond this, Uden nyama were also believed to promote fertility and were used by diviners in cases of infertility.

I attached the figure to a metal base using Museum Wax rather than drilling and adding a post, which is a method I’ve been using more often lately. The bases were painted black after the photographs were taken.

$300 plus shipping