Standing female power figure ·  D. R. Congo, Rungu · ID: 3038342

Description

wood, mat shiny dark brown patina, drilled hole in the head, larger opening in the belly, closed with plant fibre and cowrie snail, both used for insertion of magical substances, slightly dam. (right ear, mouth), missing parts (left ear, both foot tips), rep. (left shoulder and forearm, right foot tip), block-like base;
ritual sculpture made and used by the Rungu of Zaire, Zambia, and Tanzania is frequently ascribed to their better-known neighbours the Tabwa, Bemba, Fipa or Mambwe. This is probably because the group is no longer the powerful kingdom it used to be in the 18th century, and today lives scattered among stronger groups. Yet they do produce, and still use, sculpture that has a stylistic individuality and identity, albeit influenced by the art of the peoples surrounding them.

Comparing literature

Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brüssel 1987, p. 150