Maternité "phemba"

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Description

wood, pigments, glass, metal, rest. (base), plinth

This figure captivates with a particularly beautiful face, which is
dominated by large glazed eyes with painted pupils. The hairstyle, which
is strikingly flat in four parallel braids, is particularly eye
catching. The upper body is rather strong, the legs thin and shortened.

This style of figure is found in a whole series of other Vili figures that can be assigned to one workshop. Two of them are published by Lehuard together with this figure (Lehuard, Vol. I, 1989, p. 266, D 10-1-2 and p. 267, D 10-1-3). For further examples see AHDRC 0018509, 0018521 and 0018535.

Lighter patina and remnants of mass on the back suggest that the figure here was once equipped with magical charge “bilongo” and was used as a “nkisi”.

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Publications

Lehuard, Raoul, Art Bakongo, Les Centres de Style, Vol. I, Arnouville 1989, p. 266, D 10-1-1

AHDRC: 0018221

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Exposition

Brussels, Belgium: "Winter Bruneaf. Brussels Non European Art Fair", Fernandez Leventhal Gallery, 16 - 20 February 2022

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