Luluwa Figures (paired)

Carved from a single wood block, the bodies are compact, with volumes held within a continuous vertical structure. The heads are enlarged, set on ringed cylindrical necks, with facial features formed through incision and low relief. The female’s coiffure is a tall ridged spike set within a woven, checked cap pattern, with pronounced flared ears. The male’s coiffure combines a tall ridged spike with a curved projecting element rising beside the ridged vertical crest.

The female figure carries a child at chest height, supported against the torso with its head turned toward the mother’s face. The male figure holds a carved dagger in one hand; a long pendant panel incised with cross-hatched lattice patterning descends from the waist past the knee.

Incised patterning is distributed across the torso, limbs, and head of each figure, with variation in motif and density between the two. The rear surfaces are worked with incised scarification, including a central X-form with flanking chevrons and diamond registers.

The feet are broad, with individually defined toes, integrated into a continuous oval base.

Surface is compact and stable. Patina is retained across both figures, with exposure at projecting elements.

Among the Luluwa, figures of this type serve as lineage representations associated with status and social continuity.

From the Felice Maffei Collection, acquired in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1981.

Title

Luluwa Figures (paired)

Culture

Luluwa

Origin

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Date

20th century

Dimensions

Female: H 87.5 cm (34.4 in) · W 21 cm (8.3 in); Male: H 85 cm (33.5 in) · W 19 cm (7.5 in)

Medium

Wood

Provenance

From the Felice Maffei Collection, acquired in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1981.

Condition

Surface stable; exposure at projecting elements.