Impressive maternity figure Phemba, D. R. Congo,... Lot 3

Impressive maternity figure Phemba, D. R. Congo, Vili or Yombe Female figure in kneeling posture, feeding an infant sitting on the right thigh from a cup. At the level of the figure's belly bilongo (round container closed with glass plate, symbol of power), eyes glazed, coiffure a braid bent forward with a snake biting the end. On the left shoulder of the figure small anthropomorphic/ zoomorphic figure. Wood, carved, scarred tattoos, reddish brown patina, partial white and blue pigment. Various minor fractures. H. 68 cm For a sculpture strongly comparable in all essential details see Phillips, Africa. Die Kunst eines Kontinents, London/ Berlin/ N.Y. 1995/96, cat. 4.12, fig. p. 249. Impressive Phemba figure/ maternité, D. R. Congo, Yombe/ Vili tribe. Wood, carved, white and blue pigments in places, redbrown patina. Glass panes to eyes and belly. Some minor breakages. H. 68 cm