Biga-Doll Mossi around 1950

Little „Biga-Doll; african  (Lomé?) – tribal art; fertility symbol from Mossi; mid 20th century – around 1950; the Mossi are the largest people in the West African country of Burkina Faso; carved wooden handicrafts; beautiful patina and worn; the „Biiga“ dolls were worn in dress by young women until the birth of their child, after birth, the dolls are placed on the house altar, or hand it over to the next generation; If the child dies at birth, the doll is burned or given to the little girl to play with; traces of use according to age; measurements: 18,7 cm; provenance „Jürgen Maurer (1939-2018)“, prominent businessman, art collector and chronicler from Heppenheim (Germany) http://www.kunstsammlungmaurer.de