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This delightful miniature depicts a pregnant mother figure. Her face and body are decorated with designs that suggest the hand of a Lulua carver. Comes with custom base pictured. The Lulua Maternity Figure with an Infant from the Democratic Republic of Congo is a notable example of Lulua artistry. These sculptures are revered by the Lulua people and hold significant cultural and religious importance. The sculpture depicts a mother holding her infant child, symbolizing the importance of fertility, motherhood, and the continuation of the community. The Lulua Maternity Figure is typically carved from wood and exhibits intricate scarification patterns on the body. Scarification is a common practice among the Lulua, and the patterns serve as a form of personal and cultural identification. These patterns are unique to each individual and may indicate their social status, achievements, or family lineage. The sculpture often features exaggerated body proportions, such as elongated torsos and enlarged heads, which are stylistic elements common in Lulua art. The facial features are usually abstracted, emphasizing geometric shapes and patterns. The bent legs and hands placed on the cheeks, as mentioned earlier, are associated with the burial position uséd for village leaders. Lulua art, including the Maternity Figure, is highly valued and considered a form of prestige and wealth. It is believed to have protective and spiritual powers, connecting the living with their ancestors and the spirit world. The sculptures are often placed in shrines or uséd in ceremonial practices to honor and communicate with ancestral spirits. Hemp-smoking ceremonies may also be conducted as part of these rituals. The Lulua people have been influenced by neighboring kingdoms, such as the Kuba and Luba, and their artistic traditions reflect these cultural interactions. While statues are more common in Lulua art, masks are relatively scarce. The production of these sculptures, with their intricate details and cultural symbolism, demonstrates the artistic mastery and spiritual significance within Lulua society. Overall, the Lulua Maternity Figure with Infant is a significant example of the artistic heritage and cultural practices of the Lulua people in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. AO0323 **146323** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2023 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. |
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Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 56,000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125,000 in charity auctions. Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card. Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order. When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card. U.S. Shipping: Our staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of labor and the special packing materials uséd is reflected in our shipping price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. . International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request. Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletter |
