Gwan, Female Statue at Quai Branly, Paris

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In traditional African societies, a childless marriage poses a grave problem that has serious repercussions on the relationships between wives, husbands, and in-laws as well as on the entire village. Furthermore, childlessness seems to be the wife's responsibility to resolve. According to Kate Ezra (1986), women with fertility and child-bearing problems in Bamana society affiliate themselves with Gwan, an association specifically concerned with such issues. Women who utilize its services and successfully bear children make extra sacrifices to Gwan, dedicate their children to it, and name them after the sculptures associated with the association.Gwan sculptures appear in groups and are normally enshrined. An ensemble includes a mother-and-child figure unlike this one, the father, and several other male and female figures. They are considered extremely beautiful, that is, "things that can be looked at without limit" (ibid., 2.2.), because they achieve the Bamana standard for sculpture: they illustrate ideals of physical beauty and ideals of character and action. The figures are brought out of the shrine to appear in annual public ceremonies. At such times, the figures are washed and oiled and then dressed in loincloths, head ties, and beads, all of which are contributed by the women of the village.Sculptures depicting a seated female figure clasping an infant to her torso are called Gwandusu. The name implies such ideal attributes as "extraordinary strength, ardent courage, intense passion, and conviction as well as the ability to accomplish great deeds" (ibid., 30).This figure has not been scientifically dated. However, a seated female figure in the Metropolitan Museum of Art that is stylistically and iconographically similar dates back at least to the seventeenth century.This object belongs to "Scan The World". Scan The World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source, community-driven effort. If you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.