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HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
Kongo, Yombe : Yombe Ivory Sculpture of a Woman
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Yombe Ivory Sculpture of a Woman - PF.3279
Origin: Northwestern Congo
Circa: 19
th
Century AD
to 20
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
6.375" (16.2cm) high
x 1.5" (3.8cm) wide
Collection: African
Style: Yombe
Medium: Ivory
$3,600.00
Location: United States
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| Photo Gallery |
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| Description |
This delicate and beautiful sculpture depicts a
woman carrying a basket on her head. Carved of
precious ivory, the small sculpture radiates with
aesthetic beauty and charm. In Yombe culture,
ivory was frequently used to connote chiefly or
royal authority. Moreover, the depiction of
female/maternity figure called phemba was
extremely important--phemba was considered
to be powerful. This delicate ivory figurine, then,
must have been someone of significance,
possessing both attributes. The smooth texture
of the ivory accentuates the curves of her body,
especially her shoulders, breasts, and slightly
protruding belly. Her intricate face is realistically
depicted, with the fleshiness of the lips and the
delicate shape of the eyes emphasized. The sides
of the belly are decorated with scarification, and
a long skirt drapes down to her ankles. Despite
her beauty, the figure stands in a humble
position, carrying a basket as any woman of
Yombe tribe would do. Such humbleness of the
figure makes the sculpture more precious--the
royal status and power of fertility not flaunted
but contained in self-assurance and inner-
strengh. Her right arm raised to hold the basket
and her left hand gently resting on the waist of
her skirt, her inner peace and beauty comes
through. Though small in scale, the sculpture's
elegance and beauty strike the viewers in a
remarkable way.
- (PF.3279)
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