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1925.53.3

Female doll figure, worn on the back as charm by women who want to conceive a child.

On display

1925.53.3

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Female doll figure, worn on the back as charm by women who want to conceive a child.
Geographical reference
Ghana
Africa > Western Africa > Ghana
Sekondi-Takoradi Apowa
Cultural groups
Ahanta
Apowa
Powa
Person
Field collector Robert Powley Wild
PRM source Robert Powley Wild
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1925
Date collected
By 1925
Acquisition information
Donated: 1925
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Process Carved, Process Painted
Dimensions
Length: max 310 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1925.53.3
Research and responses

It is unclear whether 'Apowa' [or 'A Powa'] refers to a village or group name. [SD 11/4/2000]

Associated publications
Listed as number 20 on page 6 of Art from the Guinea Coast (Pitt Rivers Museum, Illustrated Catalogue No. 1), Oxford: Pitt Rivers Museum (1965): 'GHANA .. 21. Doll carried on the back by small girls and treasured in later life. Apowa, near Takoradi (1925.53.3) (31 cm.)'. Also illustrated in black and white in unnumbered plate VI. (For details of exhibition, see under 'Display History'.) [JC 12 9 2013]

Search terms: Figure, Religion, Children and Childcare, Doll Figure, Religious Object