Bena Lulua maternity figure
This maternity figure we are offering for sale belongs to the stylistic corpus of the Lulua, a people from the south-central region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. These works generally represent a woman carrying a child, symbolizing fertility, maternal protection, and prosperity.
Ritual Uses:
Lulua maternity figures were often associated with fertility rites, child protection, or to invoke blessings on pregnant women. They also served as symbols to reinforce the social stature of women in the community, embodying the essential role of motherhood in the continuity of the clan.
Rarity in the Art Market:
Lulua maternity sculptures are relatively rare on the art market, mainly due to their cultural significance and ritual value. They are highly prized by collectors and museums (with numerous examples adorning the collections of the MRAC, the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium), particularly for their distinctive style and the fine detail in the carvings. Authentic pieces of high quality are highly sought after and can fetch high prices at auctions or in galleries specializing in African art.
In museums, these objects are often displayed in collections dedicated to traditional African art, where they are appreciated both for their aesthetics and for their profound cultural significance.
These sculptures illustrate both the art, spirituality, and the richness of African traditions in a context that is both ritual and artistic. This beautiful and finely crafted sculpture, which we date to the second half of the 20th century, is a valuable testimony to this cultural heritage.
02523
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- 2nd half XXth
- Size
- 33 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Condition
- Excellent
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This maternity figure we are offering for sale belongs to the stylistic corpus of the Lulua, a people from the south-central region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. These works generally represent a woman carrying a child, symbolizing fertility, maternal protection, and prosperity.
Ritual Uses:
Lulua maternity figures were often associated with fertility rites, child protection, or to invoke blessings on pregnant women. They also served as symbols to reinforce the social stature of women in the community, embodying the essential role of motherhood in the continuity of the clan.
Rarity in the Art Market:
Lulua maternity sculptures are relatively rare on the art market, mainly due to their cultural significance and ritual value. They are highly prized by collectors and museums (with numerous examples adorning the collections of the MRAC, the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, Belgium), particularly for their distinctive style and the fine detail in the carvings. Authentic pieces of high quality are highly sought after and can fetch high prices at auctions or in galleries specializing in African art.
In museums, these objects are often displayed in collections dedicated to traditional African art, where they are appreciated both for their aesthetics and for their profound cultural significance.
These sculptures illustrate both the art, spirituality, and the richness of African traditions in a context that is both ritual and artistic. This beautiful and finely crafted sculpture, which we date to the second half of the 20th century, is a valuable testimony to this cultural heritage.