The kingdom of the Luba since the 15th century formed an important tribal federation in the south of the Congo. Amongst the Luba, women were always highly respected. They had rank and status, also in the political life of the kingdom. Women from the royal court of the king of the Luba were sent as ambassadors to other princes, among others. It is therefore not surprising that the representation of women was always an important motif in the art of the Luba. In the typical, ‘soft’, rounded, well-proportioned style of the Luba, which is also appealing to European eyes, as well as a variety of forms: as ‘bowl bearer’ for the white chalk required by the ‘priests’ of the Luba for their sacred ceremonies; as supportive caryatids of the famous chiefs’ stools or on neckrests; as ornamental figures on ceremonial staffs, on fly whisks, etc. And often as beautiful individual sculptures, such as the present one:
the standing woman is carved in heavy, very hard wood and dyed black. She displays a hairstyle of three, linear relief crests, with a braid at the back. Her face features a high forehead, accentuated eyebrows, almond-shaped, slit eyes, a small, wide nose and a slightly pouting mouth. The body is well-proportioned, her freely carved arms are bent, and her hands hold her breasts. A frequently occurring typical pose for female figures of the Luba. Above her abdomen run diagonal lines of decorative scars to both sides, and her short, sturdy and slightly bent legs stand on large, flat feet on a round base.
A very charming, attractive figure in typical Luba style, with only a few, very slight, superficial cracks. Slight colour abrasion, due to age, on exposed places (forehead, eyebrows, ridge of nose, on the braid on the back and on the buttocks). Actually, completely without damage. Overall a perfect, little ‘Luba lady’, with a good, partially shiny usage patina. There is an inventory number from a collection, in white letters, on the base at the left below.
Height: 21 cm; width: 8.5 cm.
First half to mid-20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
South African private collection.

Lit.:
‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, il. 184; ‘The Tribal Arts of Africa’ by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, p. 158, ill. A; ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 389.