A wooden sculpture - Prampram - Ghana (No reserve price)

Prampram Doll - Southern Ghana, incl stand. This small, carved wooden figure is characterized by a clear, almost abstract design. A large, spherical head with tiny, sunken eyes rests on a long, slender neck. The cylindrical torso is flanked by two short, slightly curved arms, while the powerfully sculpted hips flow into two tapered legs. Small holes on the chest and abdomen, as well as dark inlays in the shoulder area, articulate the otherwise smooth form. A coarse fiber band encircles the hips. The light, chalky surface with occasional reddish hues lends the object a quiet, timeless aura. Its sculptural effect stems from the striking contrast between the oversized head and the delicate body. The Prampram are part of the cultural heritage of the Dangme people on the southeastern coast of Ghana. In this region, small anthropomorphic wooden figures known as Aklama have been passed down. These figures embody spiritual helpers and may be associated with protection, well-being, and personal life paths. The simplified design of the present doll suggests a connection to this tradition. Whether it actually originated from such a religious context or served as a toy or keepsake remains unclear without a confirmed provenance. Literature (selection): Nii O. Quarcoopome et al.: Aklama: Helping Spirits of the Ewe and Dangme from the Horst Antes Study Collection. Karlsruhe 2016. Herbert M. Cole / Doran H. Ross: The Arts of Ghana. Los Angeles 1977. Philip Owusu: Study of Aklama among the Ewe. Dissertation, University of Ghana 2023. Some of the information and photos are generated by artificial intelligence and is based on published sources from the fields of ethnography, archaeology, and art history documents. All information and photos are protected by copyright. Inv. No. MAZ30695 Informant: Ouro

Estimate:$168.06

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