African Arts Gallery

Luluwa-inspired prestige pipe.
African Luluwa art glorifies local chiefs, the female figure, fertility. The traditional scarifications are indicated thanks to the salient patterns of the face while the mouthpiece of the pipe refers to the pointed hairstyle named disungu. Cracks, scattered crusty deposits.
Height on base: 57 cm.
It is in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo that the Lulua, or Béna Lulua, from West Africa settled. . Their social structure, based on caste, is similar to that of the Luba. They produced few masks, but mostly statuettes of ancestors representing the ideal warrior, mulalenga wa nkashaama, as well as the head of the Leopard society, the statuettes mbulenga linked to nature spirits and hunting fetishes. The rites linked to the cult ...

African mask characterized by protruding eyelids housed in large bleached globes, and various curvilinear keloids and pellets, specificity Luluwa .
The Lulua masks were used mainly during circumcision rites and at the funerals of notables.
According to Rik Ceyssens in "Congo Masks" (p.156. Ed. MLFélix) and as attested by the sketches of HMLemme who accompanied Frobenius during his travels in the Congo, this model of scarifications in loops were then widespread in different areas. -Luluwa groups in 1905. The Bakwa also had this type of tribal scars.
It is in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo that the Lulua , or Béna Lulua , from West Africa have settled. . Their social structure, based on castes, is similar to that of the Luba. They produced few ...

Ex-collection of Belgian African art.

Used in the rituals associated with the cult buanga bua bukalenge , this male figure representing an ancestor bears abundant facial and body scarification, a common practice in late 19th century Central Africa. These marks were signs of beauty with symbolic value, revealing extraordinary physical and moral qualities. The concentric circles suggest not only great stars, but also hope. " These statues of warriors, whose right-angled arms would be associated with vigor, participated in the investiture and funeral of chiefs. Scaled granular patina. Cracks of desiccation.
Lulua Lulua is a generic term, referring to the large number of heterogeneous peoples that populate the region near the Lulua River, between the Kasai and Sankuru ...

The different types of statues Luluwa, Lulua, or Bena Lulua, presenting multiple scarifications, glorify local leaders, motherhood, fertility and the female figure. This sculptural art has been subject to the influences of neighbouring ethnic groups (Chokwe, Luba, Kuba, ...) By the position of the hand of the character the gaze is directed towards the abdomen embellished with transdtional motifs in relief, center of the body and " object of all solicitudes" ( The Power of the Sacred , M. Faïk-Nzuji ) Diamonds, erogenous and symbolic protruding scarifications, checkered circles and rectangles embellish strategic parts of his anatomy. This very detailed statuette presents a glossy patina with reliefs thinned by the use, revealing the subtle veining of the wood. Top growths of high braids ...

The different types of Luluwa, Lulua, or even Bena Lulua statues, with multiple scarifications, glorify local chiefs, maternity, fertility and the female figure. The statuettes of this type belong to the Buanga bua cibola cult, and are supposed to protect children and pregnant women. By the position of the hands in fact, this figure highlights a prominent abdomen, the center of the body and "object of all solicitudes" (The power of the sacred , M. Faïk-Nzuji ) Prominent scarifications adorn her body. Satin patina.
It was in the south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo that the Lulua , or Béna Lulua ,from West Africa settled. Their social structure, based on castes, is similar to that of the Luba. They produced few masks, but mostly statues of ancestors representing ...

Monoxyle sculpture of a tobacco container, on the head of a female figure. The latter is depicted squatting on a conical base.
Black oiled patina.
Slightly missing at the base and cracks. It is in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo that the Lulua , or Béna Lulua ,from West Africa settled. Lulua is a generic term, referring to a large number of heterogeneous peoples who populate the area near the Lulua River, between the Kasai and Sankuru Rivers. Their social structure, based on castes, is similar to that of the Luba. During the late 19th century, the Lulua culture underwent radical changes. In 1875, the Lulua king, Kalambam, introduced new social and religious rules, which ended the traditional consumption of palm wine and the ban on hemp ...

Displaying the curvilinear patterns associated with the traditional scarifications of the ethnic group and having large concave orbits, this mask is representative of the Lulua. According to Rik Ceyssens in "Congo Masks" (p.156. ed. MLFélix) and as evidenced by the sketches of HM Lemme who accompanied Frobenius during his travels in the Congo, this model of scarifications in loops was then widespread in different under -Luluwa groups in 1905. The Bakwa also sported this type of tribal scars. These masks are used during circumcision rites and at the funerals of notables. Satin patina.
Losses, abrasions.

Height on base: 46 cm.

It is in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo that the Lulua, or Béna Lulua, from West Africa settled. . Their social ...

This African statue depicts a male ancestor, a hunter or warrior with his weapon and shield, bearing various scarifications in relief, a common practice at the end of the 19th century in Central Africa. His pendant necklace in the form of a statuette forms a protective fetish. These marks were signs of beauty with symbolic value, revealing outstanding physical and moral qualities. The concentric circles suggest not only the great stars, but also hope. " These statues of warriors, whose position of the arms at right angles would be associated with vigor, participated in the investitures and funerals of chiefs.
Locally abraded brown patina, ochre residue. Desiccation cracks.
Lulua is a generic term, referring to a large number of heterogeneous peoples who populate the area ...

The different types of statues Luluwa, Lulua, or Bena Lulua, with multiple scarifications, glorify local chiefs, maternity, fertility and the female figure.
Belonging to the cult Buanga bua cibola , this female figure is believed to protect children and pregnant women. Through the position of the hands in fact, this figure highlights a prominent abdomen, the center of the body and "object of all solicitudes" (The Power of the Sacred , M. Faïk-Nzuji ) Salient scarifications adorn the body. Satin brown patina.
Glossy black patina, desiccation cracks.
It was in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo that the Lulua, or Béna Lulua, settled from West Africa. Their social structure, based on castes, is similar to that of the Luba. They produced few ...

Ex-collection French African art.
A tribal sculpture of a woman, a child on the hip, it stands out by a careful representation of the details and has a beautiful oiled patina to the satin touch, lighter in the protrusions. This type of object was a sacred symbol of authority. The hairstyle depicted offers great similarities with the mukote cap which, among the western pends with which the Mbala shared the rituals of mukanda circumcision , became a symbol of the struggle against colonization in the early 20th century ( "Congo Masks", ed. M.L. Félix, p.114)
A large drying crack appeared. wood erosion. This motherhood, accompanied by a musician figure, Limba, was part of the pair of emblematic Pindi sculptures attributed to Chief Mbala during his induction. After a retreat of a ...

This African mask whose protruding eyes are surrounded by large sockets, offers a triangular structure and a pointed chin. There are similarities with those of neighboring Mbagani. He appeared during circumcision rituals and at the funerals of notables. Satin black patina, minimal abrasion.
The scarifications were signs of beauty with symbolic value, revealing exceptional physical and moral quality. “The concentric circles suggest not only the great stars, but also hope.”
Lulua is an umbrella term, which refers to a large number of heterogeneous peoples who inhabit the area near the Lulua River, between the Kasai and Sankuru rivers. The Lulua people migrated from West Africa during the 18th century and settled in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of ...

The different types of African statues Luluwa , Lulua, or even Béna Lulua, with multiple scarifications, glorify the local chiefs, motherhood, fertility and the female figure. The statuettes of this type belong to the Buanga bua cibola cult, and are said to protect children and pregnant women. By the position of the hands in fact, this character highlights a prominent abdomen, the center of the body and "object of all solicitudes" ( The power of the sacred , M . Faïk-Nzuji ) Satin patina.
Lacks, abrasions.
It is in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo that the Lulua , or Béna Lulua , from West Africa have settled. . Their social structure, based on castes, is similar to that of the Luba. They produced few masks, but mostly statues of ancestors ...

Heavy mask hem engraved with many curvilinear motifs in relief associated with the scarifications of the ethnic group. It represents a mythical ancestral hero to whom the clan worshipped. According to Rik Ceyssens in Congo Masks (p.156 . . . M.L.Félix) and as evidenced by the sketches of H.M.Lemme who accompanied Frobenius on his travels in Congo, this model of loop scarifications was then widespread in various Luluwa subgroups in 1905. The Bakwa also had this type of tribal scar. These masks are used during circumcision rites and at the funerals of notables. Satin golden brown patina, ochre inlays. The Lulua, or Béna Lulua from West Africa, settled in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their caste-based social structure is similar to that of the Luba. They produced few ...

Used for circumcision rites and funerals of dignitaries, this Luluwa mask has a rounded crest and a handle that evokes a beard. Curvilinear motifs and keloids alternate on the surface. According to Rik Ceyssens in "Congo Masks" (p.156. ed. M.L.Félix) and as attested by the sketches of H.M.Lemme who accompanied Frobenius during his travels in the Congo, this pattern of looped scarification was widespread in various Luluwa sub-groups in 1905. The Bakwa also sported this type of tribal scarring. Height on base: 50 cm .
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It was in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo that the Lulua , or Béna Lulua ,from West Africa settled. Their social structure, based on castes, is similar to that of the Luba. They produced few masks, but mostly statues of ancestors representing ...

Ex-collection African art. This figure with hands on the temples is depicted squatting on the stove on which the figure's oversized sex rests. The conical top hairstyle, extended from the pipe, probably evokes the tip of the hair named disungu. The face bears the traditional facial scarifications, once common practice.
Desiccation cracks. It is in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo that the Lulua , or Béna Lulua ,from West Africa settled.
Lulua is a generic term, referring to a large number of heterogeneous peoples who inhabit the area near the Lulua River, between the Kasai and Sankuru Rivers. Their social structure, based on castes, is similar to that of the Luba. During the late 19th century, the Lulua culture underwent radical changes. In 1875, the ...

Relief motifs, erogenous and symbolic scarifications, embellish this African maternity. This female figure embracing a child has a greyish brown patina. These statuettes were supposed to protect the child and its mother. There are cracks and slight missing parts. The different types of Luluwa, Lulua, or Béna Lulua statues, with multiple scarifications, glorify local chiefs, maternity, fertility and the female figure. This sculptural art was subject to the influences of neighboring ethnic groups (Chokwe, Luba, Kuba, etc.). The Lulua, or Bena Lulua, settled in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo from West Africa. Their social structure, based on castes, is similar to that of the Luba. They produced few masks, but mainly statues of ancestors representing the ideal warrior, ...

This Luluwa mask is associated with circumcision rites and funerals of dignitaries.
Curvilinear designs and lozenge motifs alternate on the surface.
According to Rik Ceyssens in "Congo Masks" (p.156 . ed. M.L.Félix) and as attested by the sketches of H.M.Lemme who accompanied Frobenius on his travels in the Congo, this pattern of looped scarification was widespread among various Luluwa subgroups in 1905. The Bakwa also sported this type of tribal scarring. Satin black patina.
.
It was in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo that the Lulua , or Bena Lulua ,from West Africa settled. Their social structure, based on castes, is similar to that of the Luba. They produced few masks, but mostly statues of ancestors representing the ideal warrior, ...

Sensitively carved, this scene values the female capacity to care for life. Raised patterns, erogenous and symbolic protruding scarifications, form the adornment of this African statue figure. These "maternities" and statuettes were meant to protect the child and its mother. Cracks.
The various types of statues Luluwa,Lulua, or even Bena Lulua, featuring multiple scarifications, glorify local chiefs, maternity, fertility and the female figure. This sculptural art was subject to the influences of neighboring ethnic groups (Chokwe, Luba, Kuba, etc.). The Lulua, or Bena Lulua, settled in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo from West Africa. Their social structure, based on castes, is similar to that of the Luba. They produced few masks, but mainly statues of ancestors ...

This African facial mask, topped with a frontal crest, adopts the canons of traditional sculpture, as well as the curvilinear motifs associated with the scarifications of the ethnic group. According to Rik Ceyssens in "Congo Masks" (p.156. ed. M.L.Félix) and as attested by the sketches of H.M.Lemme who accompanied Frobenius on his travels in the Congo, this pattern of looped scarification was widespread among various Luluwa sub-groups in 1905. The Bakwa also sported this type of tribal scarring. These masks are used during circumcision rites and at funerals of notables. Satin patina. It was in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo that the Lulua , or Béna Lulua ,from West Africa settled. Their social structure, based on castes, is similar to that of the Luba. They ...

The powerful expressiveness of this mask lies in the projected volumes, the large globes with globular eyelids characteristic of the Luluwa, the curvilinear and pellet-like keloids protruding from the black surface.
The Lulua masks were used mainly during circumcision rites and at the funerals of notables. According to Rik Ceyssens in "Congo Masks" (p.156. ed. M.L.Félix) and as attested by the sketches of H.M.Lemme who accompanied Frobenius on his trips to the Congo, this pattern of looped scarification was widespread among various Luluwa sub-groups in 1905. The Bakwa also sported this type of tribal scarring. br>It was in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo that the Lulua , or Béna Lulua ,from West Africa settled. Their social structure, based on castes, is ...

The different types of statues Luluwa,Lulua, or even Bena Lulua, presenting multiple scarifications, glorify the local chiefs, maternity , fertility and the female figure. This prestigious figure is associated with the cult buanga bua bukalenge . The prominent, striated abdomen, center of the body and "object of all solicitudes" (The power of the sacred , M. Faïk-Nzuji )and the face, are strewn with lozenges, erogenous and symbolic protruding scarifications, circles and rectangles in checkerboards. A conical summit appendage representing a high braid rises to the level of the fontanel.
Gray grainy patina with localized erosions revealing a light wood. It is in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo that the Lulua , or Béna Lulua ,from West Africa settled. Their social ...