A maternity figure known as “phemba”, Vili people, former Kingdom of Loango, probably from the modern-day Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville).

A maternity figure known as “phemba”, Vili people, former Kingdom of Loango, probably from the modern-day Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville). 

“This figure represents an exquisite example of the classic mother-child figure, carved from fire-blackened „golden wood“. 

It shows a still young woman with a slender form and small breasts. The eyes are inlaid with glass and her open mouth shows ritually filed teeth. She wears a pointed „mpu“ hood with fine engravings and with her right hand she puts a pipe in her mouth - all symbols of high rank and dignity. 

This type of presentation reflects the special appreciation that is shown to women in the matrilineal societies of the Congo area. 

The child with its rounded body shapes, drawn-up legs and the hand reaching for the mothers breast is very realistically and vividly carved. This shows that the carvers incorporated observations from real life into their works of carving. 

Some mother figures, like the one at hand, have openings that were once charged with power ingredients, which made them „minkisi“ [Nkisi, or ritual objects inhabited by a spirit]. 

This figure can be stylistically integrated into a group of works that Lehuard in his monograph on the art of the Bakongo, assigned to the Vili, substyle.” 

-Kunstauktionshaus Zemanek-Münster