Fante Fertility Figure. Coastal Ghana, African carving Start Price USD 49.95 Current Price USD 49.95 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, September 02, 2008 End Time Friday, September 12, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Fante Fertility Figure. Coastal Ghana, African carving' Description Title: Fante Fertility Figure Ghana AfricanType of Object: FigureEthnic Group: FanteCountry of Origin: GhanaMaterials: wood, pigment, beadsApproximate Age: Mid 20th centuryDimensions: 18 inchesOverall Condition: GoodDamage, Repair: Worn patina, stainAdditional Information: A stunning carving with great charm and personality. It exemplifies the historic admiration that Akan cultures have lavished on women and the importance of motherhood. The face is regal, if a bit stylized, the six bundles of hair tight and precise, and the long arms and pleading hands beautifully rendered. The small amount of red pigment, found on the lips, is rarely encountered on non-colonial carvings. The addition of colorful antique Bohemian glass beads, a common addition in a country where beads are held in great esteem, adds nicely to the majesty of the piece. Large Fante statues are much less common than those of their inland neighbors, the Asante. The history of the Fante is tied of course to that of the Akan Kingdom, which rose to power during the 13thC as a result of the abundance of gold found in their homelands. Over the centuries, the most powerful faction of the Akan, the Asante, emerged as a result of their control over the trade routes for gold merchants. The Asante were brutal and demanding, and as a result, smaller groups of Akan began to splinter off, moving towards the coast and into parts of Cote d'Ivoire. The Fante were one of these groups who chose to separate themselves as much as possible from the Asante, settling along the western coast of Ghana. Though they became somewhat autonomous, helped ironically by the British during their occupation until 1957, the Fante are still even today at the mercy of the political power of the Asante, who control much of Ghana's government. The most notable of Fante artforms are the two-dimensional "Asafo" paramilitary flags, remarkable applique' textiles loaded with color and symbolism. They date back over 150 years, but are still produced and used today.**018611** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!