Kongo (Bakongo, Bashikongo, Kakongo), Angola & Democratic Republic of the Congo

Maternity Statue.  The Kongo people numbering two million survive from day to day on agricultural production, fishing, and hunting. They demonstrate the extreme complexity of their traditions on major occasions, such as the investiture of a chief or at funerals. Kongo artists carved numerous figures and objects characterized by naturalistic features. Seated mother-and-child figures are found throughout the Lower Congo region. The maternity statues were used to ward off danger to mothers during delivery and to protect the health of the child. A maternity statue’s effectiveness depended on the dignity of the figure and its youth (shown by the firmness of the breasts).

Material:  wood

Size:  H. 10”, W. 4”, D. 4”

Price: $165 + $25 (S&H)           [#N9K9S135]