Namji Cameroon Doll

large Namji doll stylized head garnished with numerous rabgs of pearls, coins from British West Africa dated 1935, and 1920, bronze pendants provenance
Dutch collection reputadly  to be from Harry Heinemans

"Present in various forms throughout sub-Saharan Africa, these “dolls” convey the image of the nurturing woman, symbol of reproduction and protection of the community. Among the Dowayo of Cameroon, the doll is supposed to guarantee the fertility of women threatened with sterility. A people of farmers and cattle breeders, the Dowayo, called Namji or Namchi by their Fulani neighbours, occupy a region of mountainous savannahs to the east of the Atlantika mountains in the north of Cameroon and on the border with Nigeria."(cf quai Branly collections)