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The figures below have been sold and are left here for educational and research purposes.
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Photographs © Tim Hamill
YORUBA, MATERNITY FIGURES, Nigeria
Yoruba figures like these were used in many different ways.
Exhibiting a wide diversity in size, symbolism, intimacy and style, African maternity figures depict the ideals of beauty, fertility, character and action and many signify much more, whether the primordial mother or a legendary founding ancestor. Commonly used as shrine figures, they were often objects of petitions or prayers for fertility and successful births. The prevelance of the maternity theme testifies to the importance of women and children to the continuity of each people.
