Posted 10 years ago
francine60
(5 items)
The only information I can give you on these figures are they have come to light during an inheritance, they were not on display but in an attic trunk of an old house in England UK
My Mothers Grandfather worked for the colonial service in Africa for 27 during the late 19thC and was interested and collected antiques, but also he went to many other places. One of his duties was the movement of tribes, while they were clearing land areas.
We assume these two figures are from part of his collection.
The two figures appear to be a pair, look to be carved from the same wood, possibly the same tree.
He is approx 9 inches tall, muscular and seems to be a hunter as he has a shield in his hand, a decorative carved necklace and a decorative arm band.
She is a young woman heavily pregnant and wears almost the same neck decoration, she is just slightly taller than the male.
If anyone can help me identify a country of origin and any information that might connect them to a tribe and time, or even if they have a meaning and value, I would be very grateful.
I have to wonder why in the world the carver would make the women be that heavy with child. My only guess is that it was a "fertility" subject Maybe they were presented as a gift--they are Africans. Very nice.
I too wondered about some kind of fertility gesture PostCardCollector, my Mothers Grandfather was very well thought of by the natives, he help relocate them to better areas, he married my Great Grandmother on his return to England, so I wonder now if they were actually made for him as a Wedding gift, but this has never been mentioned in the family, but a lovely thought to hold onto. thank you for your comment and interest.