Mossi Biiga or Doll / Fertility Figure, Based

Girls in Mossi villages were handed a doll and told to look after it. The rest of the story was left to later years.

This is a biiga, a doll and fertility figure carved of wood in Burkina Faso in the 20th century, associated with hopes for healthy children. It stands just under eleven inches on its mount. The crested head is crescent-shaped and incised with hatching and herringbone lines, a pierced lappet at one side. Neck and body are columnar, carved with X-shapes, rings and zigzags, small breasts rising from the chest.

The reddish-brown patina is worn smooth in places. Affection does that.