Detail View: The AMICA Library: Mother and Child Figure (wenyi)
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AMICA ID:
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CMA_.1931.426
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AMICA Library Year:
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2003
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Object Type:
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Sculpture
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Creator Nationality:
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Africa, Zaire, Mbala, 20th century
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Creator Name-CRT:
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Africa, Zaire, Mbala, 20th century
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Title:
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Mother and Child Figure (wenyi)
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Title Type:
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Primary
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View:
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Full View
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Creation Date:
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before 1930
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Creation Start Date:
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1920
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Creation End Date:
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1930
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Materials and Techniques:
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wood and beads
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Classification Term:
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Sculpture
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Style or Period:
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Africa, Zaire, Mbala, 20th century
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Dimensions:
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Overall: 53.4cm x 13.1cm x 14.6cm
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AMICA Contributor:
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The Cleveland Museum of Art
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Owner Location:
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Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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ID Number:
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1931.426
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Credit Line:
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Gift of the African Art Sponsors of Karamu House
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Rights:
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Context:
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A figure like this was part of an Mbala chief's treasury of sacred objects, displayed and invoked on important occasions such as succession ceremonies, collective hunts, wars, or judicial hearings. Since the Mbala are matrilineal, the mother and child figure symbolized not only the legitimacy of the chief, but also the supreme source of sacred authority of the female founder. The crested hairdo and filed teeth are Mbala expressions of status and beauty.
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Related Image Identifier Link:
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CMA_.1931.426.tif
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