Zemanek-Münster

Female miniature figure "mbulenga" ·  D. R. Congo, Bena Lulua (Luluwa) · ID: 3049960

sold EUR 1,400
Provenance
Lore Kegel (1901-1980), Hamburg, Germany (acquired in situ 1953)
Boris Kegel-Konietzko, Hamburg, Germany (1995)
Bernhard Jäger, Frankfurt a. M., Germany
Size
H: 12,5 cm
H: 4.9 inch

Description

wood, pigments, collection no. “L19”, base

“Mbulenga” figures were used in the “bwanga bwa bwimpe” cult. Their production was ordered by a ritual specialist “mbuki” for young women who had difficulties getting pregnant.

The women carried the small figure attached to her waist throughout daily chores. Offerings of oils, red earth, and kaolin were rubbed into the surface creating a thick patina.


The object Female miniature figure “mbulenga” with the object ID 3049960 was part of the auction 101st Auction on November 11, 2023. The object with the lot number 159 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,400 with an asking price of EUR 750.

You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.


Comparing literature

Brown, Kellim, Southern Kasai Hands, Brussels 2011, p. 10 f.


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