Large fertility statue, Kirdi, Cameroon, ca 1970

A beauty! this large fertility statue of the Kirdi tribe from Cameroon. The base of wood is made by a blacksmith. The husband's father takes care of the decoration. The more beads and other things, the higher the social status. It is a strikingly full statue with thousands of tiny glass paste beads in different colors. At the place of the arms and at the bottom, many leather thongs with cowrie shells on them. The statue then went to the wife and was supposed to ensure fertility and healthy children. The statue is neatly placed on a stand.

Height: 30 cm, including base 32 cm
Weight: 1602 grams
Origin: Cameroon
Dating: ca 1970
Provenance: Obtained from a Flemish private collection