Luba female figure
The African art of the Luba people
This exceptionally fine, and beautifully carved wooden figure of a Luba female displays the concepts of idealized female beauty. The face is beautifully proportioned with a regal poise, and has elongated, half closed eyes, small nose and a open, gently smiling mouth. The hair is carved to represent three long plaits that have been pulled back. The neck is long and fleshy and sits on the small, rounded shoulders. The short arms are bent at the elbows with the hands resting on the prominent breasts. The swollen stomach, possibly pregnant, has a panel engraved to represent scarification marks.
The depiction of females in Luba statues is perhaps one of the most common. The Luba are a matrilineal society who place great emphasis on the spiritual and temporal power of women in society. The statues have multiple layers of meaning for the Luba, as they can be seen to represent not only the nurturing aspect of a mother, but also the respect that women hold in society. These figures represent the ideal of Luba concepts of female beauty, but also act as a form of visual memory of significant females. many of these figures have a rich patina from the regular application of oils. This is represented by real Luba women who regularly rub oil into their skin so that it gleams and gives an aura of power.
01567
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- 39 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Condition
- Excellent
The African art of the Luba people
This exceptionally fine, and beautifully carved wooden figure of a Luba female displays the concepts of idealized female beauty. The face is beautifully proportioned with a regal poise, and has elongated, half closed eyes, small nose and a open, gently smiling mouth. The hair is carved to represent three long plaits that have been pulled back. The neck is long and fleshy and sits on the small, rounded shoulders. The short arms are bent at the elbows with the hands resting on the prominent breasts. The swollen stomach, possibly pregnant, has a panel engraved to represent scarification marks.
The depiction of females in Luba statues is perhaps one of the most common. The Luba are a matrilineal society who place great emphasis on the spiritual and temporal power of women in society. The statues have multiple layers of meaning for the Luba, as they can be seen to represent not only the nurturing aspect of a mother, but also the respect that women hold in society. These figures represent the ideal of Luba concepts of female beauty, but also act as a form of visual memory of significant females. many of these figures have a rich patina from the regular application of oils. This is represented by real Luba women who regularly rub oil into their skin so that it gleams and gives an aura of power.