Superb Kongo Maternity Power Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo
phemba
Wood, pigment, porcelain, fiber, vegetable fiber
Height 9 1/8in (23.2cm)

Provenance
Charles Jacques Massar Collection, Belgium
Christine Valluet, Paris
Saul and Marsha Stanoff Collection, California
Sotheby's, New York, 8 May 1989, Lot 68
Merton D. Simpson Gallery, New York
American Private Collection

Literature
Lehuard, Raoul, Art Bakongo: Les centres de style, Vol. I, Arnouville: Arts d'Afrique Noire, 1989, p. 257
Cole, Herbert, Maternity: Mothers and Children in the Arts of Africa, Mercatorfonds, Brussels, 2017, fig. 223

Standing on a square base with fine naturalistic details throughout, the mother with her arms behind to support the child on her back, she looks upward with an open mouth with full lips, wearing a carved groin cloth and large anklets; the baby, with similar facial features, holds on with hands with clearly delineated fingers, grasping underneath the mother's armpits; a bundle of fiber and vegetation around the mother's neck; fine varied and shiny dark brown patina.
Saleroom notices:
Please note provenance should read:



Provenance



Charles Jacques Massar Collection, Belgium
Christine Valluet, Paris
Saul and Marsha Stanoff Collection, California
Merton D. Simpson Gallery, New York
Sotheby's, New York, 8 May 1989, Lot 68
American Private Collection

Old losses to front right corner of base and right foot; small chip to front of nose; nicks, scratches, abrasions and wear consistent with age. Custom base.