Online Collections at UoB - Objects
ID number: BIRRC-D0281 Institution: Research and Cultural Collections Named collection: Danford Collection of West African Art and Artefacts Artist / Maker: Unknown Title / Object name: Child's doll Object type: Toy
Place made: W. Nigeria Culture: Yoruba Materials: Carved wood, stained red and incised. Measurements: 20 cm
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A carved wooden toy, stained red and incised. This toy is an 'omolangidi' or 'child of wood'. Young girls carry these dolls on their backs as though they were infants, their flat, limbless shape facilitating the carrying. They range in style from very plain to incredibly decorative and are one of the first things apprentice carvers are tasked with making due to their simple structure.
Notes: This item was bequested to the University of Birmingham in 1972 by E.H. Duckworth. Teacher, scientist and photographer Edward Harland Duckworth was recommended to the post of Inspector of Education in Nigeria in 1930 following the commendation of his teaching work in Cheltenham. During his time in Nigeria he taught science, developed teaching methods and was elected as editor of Nigeria Magazine, adding his own photographs to articles.
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