Handmade African Art Appraisal

African Woman Figurine with Water Pot

This item is a decorative doll or figurine depicting an African woman, likely intended to represent a specific culture or region, such as Ghana, given the Kente-like patterns and colors of the clothing. The doll stands on a circular, flat black base, suggesting it is a stationary display piece. The figure is meticulously dressed in fabric clothing, including a vibrant headwrap with yellow, brown, and green geometric patterns, and a multicolored dress or wrapper with horizontal bands of green, yellow, brown, and blue, reminiscent of Kente cloth. An additional piece of fabric, possibly a sash, in yellow with blue patterns, is draped around her waist. She wears a blue patterned top with white crescent-shaped motifs. Her skin tone is a warm, unglazed brown. The facial features are delicate, with small painted eyes, nose, and lips. She is adorned with several pieces of jewelry: a multi-strand necklace of red and yellow beads around her neck, and yellow and gold-colored bangles on her left wrist. In her right arm, she cradles a small, light brown, urn-shaped clay pot with incised geometric decoration, indicative of a water or carrying vessel. The overall craftsmanship appears to be folk art or handcrafted. There are no readily visible manufacturer's marks or signatures from the image. The doll's condition appears good, with no obvious signs of significant damage like chips, cracks, or repairs, though some minor dust accumulation might be present on the base. The fabric shows good color retention. The style suggests it could be a souvenir item or an artisanal piece from the mid-to-late 20th century or early 21st century.