작품 상세

. A BENA LULUA MATERNITY FIGURE, REPUBLIC OF CONGO Carved in hardwood with a deep, lustrous patina, the figure stands upright in a poised and dignified stance. The elongated head rises from a tall, cylindrical neck encircled by finely carved, stacked ring motifs. The coiffure is arranged in a high, crested form with a central ridge and striated detailing, complementing the refined facial features. The face is delicately modelled with almond-shaped eyes beneath arched brows, a straight, narrow nose, and small, composed lips. Incised scarification marks adorn the forehead and cheeks. The female figure’s torso is sensitively rendered, with full, pendant breasts and a pronounced, rounded abdomen bearing incised geometric motifs.  Cradled at her side is a small child, held securely against the hip, its features echoing those of the mother. The legs are strong and slightly flexed, terminating in broad, stable feet. Carved decorative elements appear at the waist and thighs, and the surface shows areas of wear and minor abrasion consistent with age and handling. Maternity figures of the Bena Lulua people embody ideals of fertility, lineage, and ancestral continuity. Such sculptures served as expressions of female virtue and social status, while also functioning within ritual and domestic contexts connected to fertility and protection. Height: 69 cm Provenance: Property of a Single Owner French Collection formed in the late 1990's; thence by descent