African Arts Gallery

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 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 ...

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 ...

A particularly creative design distinguishes the anthropomorphic foot of this neck rest. The head of the character, detached from the body, is indeed offset forward, supporting the plate whose extension leans on the neck, the voluminous feet balancing the whole. Dark patina with mahogany highlights, glossy. 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 castes, is similar to that of the Luba. They produced few masks, but mostly statues of ancestors representing the ideal warrior, mulalenga wa nkashaama, as well as the chief of the Leopard society and mbulenga statuettes related to nature spirits. Despite Kalamba Mukwenge's attempt in the late nineteenth century to ...

Used during the rites associated with the cult buanga bua bukalenge , this male figure representing an ancestor sports abundant facial and bodily scarifications, a common practice in the late 19th century in Central Africa. These marks were signs of beauty of symbolic value, revealing extraordinary physical and moral quality. Concentric circles suggest not only the great stars, but also hope. " These statues of warriors, whose right-angle arm position would be associated with vigour, participated in the investitures and funerals of the chiefs. Black brown velvety patina. Indigenous restoration using staples at the top.
Lulua is a generic term, which refers to a large number of heterogeneous peoples that populate the area near the Lulua River, between the Kasai and Sankuru rivers. ...

The different types of statues Luluwa, Lulua, or Bena Lulua, with multiple scarifications, glorify local leaders, motherhood, fertility and the female figure. Figures such as the one presented belong to the cult Buanga bua cibola, and are supposed to protect children and pregnant women. By the position of the hands indeed, this character highlights a prominent abdomen, center of the body and object of all solicitudes. ( The Power of the Sacred, M. Faïk-Nzuji) Scarifications protruding ornetn its forehead. Browned patina rather dull.
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 masks, but especially statues of ancestors representing the ideal ...

Various prestigious objects were sculpted by the Lulua, such as these horns sculpted with a figure of a couple in the round, hunting or warrior ancestors. The decorative motifs are based on traditional scarification marks. 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. Dark satin patina. 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. The Lulua people migrated from West Africa during the 18th century and settled in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). They number 300,000 and live in small regional chiefdoms and ...

A particularly creative design distinguishes the anthropomorphic foot of this neck rest. Huge feet balance the whole. Glossy mahogany patina. 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, mulalenga wa nkashaama, as well as the chief of the Leopard society and mbulenga statuettes linked to the spirits of nature. Despite Kalamba Mukwenge's attempt in the late nineteenth century to eradicate traditional cults by burning them, the religious system continued, such as the tshibola fertility cult.

This African male statue of an ancestor, hunter or warrior, played a role during buanga bwa bukalenge rituals to increase the prestige of the chief. It has various scarifications, a common practice at the end of the 19th century in Central Africa. 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.
Patina satin finish. Desiccation cracks.
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 ...

Ex-collection African art from Monaco.
This Lulua male effigy covered with lozenges, circles, checkerboard rectangles, presents numerous symbolic erogenous scarifications that embellish the startling parts of the anatomy of this work. Very detailed, this statue is endowed with a glossy mahogany patina whose reliefs are lightened by use, it reveals the subtle veining of an exotic wood. It has the characteristic Lulua summit protrusion. The different types of Luluwa, Lulua, or Béna Lulua statues, with multiple scarifications, glorify the local chiefs, maternity, fertility and the female figure. This sculptural art has been subjected to the influences of neighboring ethnic groups (Chokwe, Luba, Kuba, ...) The Lulua, or Bena Lulua, settled in the south of the Democratic Republic of ...

Ex-collection African art from Monaco.
Lozenges, protruding erogenous and symbolic scarifications, circles and checkerboard rectangles, embellish strategic parts of the anatomy of this work. This very detailed statue, in whose arms a child rests, has a lustrous patina with reliefs lightened by use, revealing the subtle grain of the wood. The headdress has an outgrowth at the top with high braids. The different types of Luluwa, Lulua, or Bena Lulua statues, with multiple scarifications, glorify the 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 ...

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 ...

Ex-collection French African art.
. In addition to their statuary, the Lulua produced a wide variety of carved objects for ceremonial or utilitarian purposes. This prestigious pot is supported by a squatting female figure. She wears jewelry, a loincloth, and complex scarification on both her neck and face. At the top, a squatting figure is said to ward off disease. The Tschokwe and Luba influences are also notable. Black brown oiled patina and kaolin. The different types of Luluwa, Lulua, or Béna Lulua statues, with multiple scarifications, glorify the local chiefs, maternity, fertility and the female figure. Salient scarifications are drawn on the forehead of the perosnnage. Grey granular patina with localized erosions revealing a clear wood. It is in the south of the ...