Small figure "mbulenga" ·  D. R. Congo, Lulua · ID: 3033295

Description

wood, dark brown patina, encrusted in some areas, schematized body with rich scarification marks, dam., the right arm missing in parts, fissures, abrasion of paint, on metal plate;
small “mbulenga” figures belonged to young women having difficulty with pregnancy. The woman carried the small figure attached to her waist throughout daily chores. Regular offerings of oils, red earth, and kaolin were rubbed into the surface creating a thick glossy patina. “Mbulenga” figures show intricate body scarification, long necks, high foreheads, strong calves, and rich shiny surfaces. For the Lulua believe that physical beauty not only reflects moral goodness, but also increases the ritual effectiveness of the figures. They are carved from the sacred “Muabi” tree, which invites ancestral spirits to inhabit, and empower sculpture.

The object Small figure “mbulenga” with the object ID 3033295 was last part of the auction 70th tribal art auction at September 8, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 171 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,000.

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Comparing literature

Brown, Kellim, Southern Kasai Hands, Brüssel 2011, p. 10 f. Grootaers, J.-L., Eisenburger, I. (ed.), Forms of Wonderment, Vol. II, 2002, p. 543