Kongo Pfemba maternity statuette, DRC - Lot 190

Kongo Pfemba maternity statuette, DRC A traditional African sculpture from the Kongo, this statuette embodies the clan ancestor as a mediating figure, as evidenced by the scarification marks on the bust. The child embodies the matrilineal transmission of power. TheYombe adorned their textiles, mats and loincloths, with lozenges in connection with proverbs glorifying work and social unity. The mouth reveals filed teeth, while the eyes indicate the grandmother's ability to discern the occult.`. Little is known about the use of this type of sculpture. They frequently formed the carved motif at the top of chiefs' canes. Black satin patina. Minor abrasions. 25 x 8 cm A clan of the Kongo group, the Yombe are established on the West African coast, in the southwest of the Republic of Congo and in Angola. Their statuary includes remarkable maternity figures. Little is known about the use of this type of sculpture. Among the Kongo, the nganga performed rituals by activating a spiritual force with a nkondi (pl. nkissi). The term nkisi was later used to designate the notions of "sacred" or "divine". From the second half of the 20th century, minkisi minkondi were strategically placed along the coast of the Loango kingdom to protect against European incursions. Among the most powerful, the Mangaaka was considered the "king" and "master", supreme arbiter of conflicts and protector of communities, and became the most ambitious and monumental sculptural genre. Source: "le geste Kongo" Ed. Musée Dapper and "Trésors d'Afrique" Musée de Tervuren; "L'Ame de l'Afrique" s.Diakonoff.