Figure - Congo (No reserve price)

height 27 cm
Phemba Maternity - Kongo / Yombe - DRC Zaire
The representations of 'motherhood' from the Mayombe and the coastal region of the Kongo country are among the most captivating in African art due to their universal theme, naturalism, and formal perfection.

These statuettes were called Pfemba or Phemba.

They were used within the framework of a female fertility cult established by a midwife.

The different works often depict women breastfeeding.

According to Lehuard (page 121 of 'Motherhood in Black Africa' G. Massa editions Sépia), children whose legs are stiff have died, whereas the living would have their legs bent at the knees.
The statuette depicts a woman presenting her husband with their first child, whether alive, stillborn, or deceased shortly after birth.

Marc Léo Félix, in his book Kongo on page 85, informs us that these statuettes are believed to depict the founder of the clan or a reigning woman.
These objects are the property of the chef.
width 10 cm