Posted 8 years ago
katherines…
(247 items)
[So yes I haven't been on CW for a while. Because life.]
What is this? The closest thing I can find is Kachina dolls.
[I missed you guys.]
Thanks for looking.
MYSTERY SOLVED: Our CanyonRoad, wise and wonderful in all things native crafts, tells me that this is a Ndebele doll from South Africa, originally made and given as fertility figures, now produced for the souvenir trade. Thanks, CanyonRoad!
I've changed categories, closest to where I think this ought to go, CW will probably change it again, lol. :)
This is a beaded Ndebele doll, from South Africa. Originally, larger dolls like this were made as fertility figures, but now the dolls are made in all sizes, for sale, and making them is a much-needed source of income for Ndebele women. They are one of the iconic souvenir items from South Africa.
I think she's CUTE, ....... in an odd sort of way! [;>)
Cutie! Missed you too Kathie :-)
here's a very large, old one i found last year: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/174936-very-old-and-large-ndebele-inititiation
Thanks, CanyonRoad, for the ID, now I have a start on where to research further, greatly appreciated. :)
Nevada Blades, she is oddly attractive, isn't she? Thank you. :)
kyratango, I felt so strange not being here, thank you, missed you, and all my friends here. :)
ho2cultcha, thanks for that link, interesting about these beaded figures! :)
Hi babe....missed you.
I've got one of these; different but same same. They are way funky.
Thanks for the love, NevadaBlades, mikelv85, kyratango, ho2cultcha, and kivatinitz. :)
Karen, thank you so much, missed you too. I just couldn't keep up with everything, so this had to step aside for awhile. Is your doll posted? If not, I wish you would! :)
[P.S. there's a box in my room I look at all the time. It's like a dream. I keep pinching myself. Is it really mine?]
Okay, so my Ndebele figure is quite different from the others I've looked at. Shape, style, there are a few that sort of resemble this one, but the face color, red beads, I can't seem to find another like it. Most are black beads, the ones that are red are in a different style of figure. Must have some significance?
One of the collectible features of these dolls is that they are all handmade and different...so you are not likely to see two exactly alike. What many have in common are the wire neck bands, the white line down the center of the face, and the distinctive headpiece. The smaller ones are going to have fewer of the characteristics found on the large ones, just because the beads used are pretty much all the same, but the scale wouldn't be the same, so adjustments are made, and details left out.
I doubt if there's any significance to the color of the beads, it just depends on what the maker has on hand, and her own artistic interpretation.
The dolls you see with the black heads are usually not beaded on the heads, it's black cloth, with just the eyes and that white line down the center actually beaded. Here's one with a red bead face, though: http://www.crizmac.com/cc-pages/11-07article.cfm
Yes, I saw several of those Linga Koba figures but they aren't like this figure and don't seem to represent what those figures do. There is a more detailed list of each of the figures and what they represent on another website (probably done by a young student for a school project, nevertheless the info jibes with info on other sites), the issue is that none of them had the right combination of elements:
http://afrs100africandolls.weebly.com/different-kind-of-dolls.html
Great link that. I checked my girl and she is a Ndebele ceremonial doll.
I am mad with work and theatre sewing at the moment and need to find time to take photos......for my girl and other stuff. She will appear one day!
Thanks, Karen, glad if the link helped, and I look forward to seeing her. :) Don't work yourself too hard!
Thanks for the love, aura, and vetraio50. :)
wow very colorful and cute!!
Thanks for the love, Sean, and your nice compliment. :)
your very welcome katherinescollection!!
Love the doll love the "life" comment. :)
So true.
Thanks for the love, OneGoodFind, and your compliment. Yes, life. Not much we can do about it, lol. :)