Bena Lulua figure - SOLD OUT
Traditional African art of the first part of the 20th century among the Lulua of the D. R. Congo
A striking and unusual wooden carving of a female with a rich honey coloured patina. The head has a tall projecting finial extension to the top and is dome shaped with a series of spirals and chevron patterns to it. The face is small in comparison and has a heavy brow with small, half closed almond shaped eyes. The nose is short, with flared nostrils and the mouth is small with fleshy, open lips. the cheeks have a series of engraved patterns representing scarification marks.
To the back of the head is a round cap representing the hair.
The neck is characterised by a thick collar that is engraved all over. The body displays a geometric form with small arms bent at the elbows and with the right hand by the side of the stomach, and the left holding a cup. The upper body is naked and the breasts and stomach are engraved. There is a thick belt with engraved decoration to the waist and a small apron to the front. The legs are also engraved with panels of decoration.
The Lulua statues are highly distinctive due to the profusion of carvings to them that represent scarification marks. These statues are power figures and come in male and female form. the most famous are the female, such as this example, which are known as mbulenga.
The male statues were placed outside the front of the hut to act as guardians whilst the head of the family was absent. The female statues acted as guardians of women undergoing childbirth. The protruding abdomen of the female statues represents the importance of family lineage.
The projecting "spike" to the top of the head symbolizes power.
01352
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Circa 1950
- Size
- 34,5 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Stand
- Included
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Traditional African art of the first part of the 20th century among the Lulua of the D. R. Congo
A striking and unusual wooden carving of a female with a rich honey coloured patina. The head has a tall projecting finial extension to the top and is dome shaped with a series of spirals and chevron patterns to it. The face is small in comparison and has a heavy brow with small, half closed almond shaped eyes. The nose is short, with flared nostrils and the mouth is small with fleshy, open lips. the cheeks have a series of engraved patterns representing scarification marks.
To the back of the head is a round cap representing the hair.
The neck is characterised by a thick collar that is engraved all over. The body displays a geometric form with small arms bent at the elbows and with the right hand by the side of the stomach, and the left holding a cup. The upper body is naked and the breasts and stomach are engraved. There is a thick belt with engraved decoration to the waist and a small apron to the front. The legs are also engraved with panels of decoration.
The Lulua statues are highly distinctive due to the profusion of carvings to them that represent scarification marks. These statues are power figures and come in male and female form. the most famous are the female, such as this example, which are known as mbulenga.
The male statues were placed outside the front of the hut to act as guardians whilst the head of the family was absent. The female statues acted as guardians of women undergoing childbirth. The protruding abdomen of the female statues represents the importance of family lineage.
The projecting "spike" to the top of the head symbolizes power.