Who created "Mother-and-Child Figure (Bwanga bwa Chibola)"?

Mother-and-Child Figure (Bwanga bwa Chibola) was created by Luluwa in Mid–late 19th century.

When was "Mother-and-Child Figure (Bwanga bwa Chibola)" created?

This artwork was created Mid–late 19th century.

What medium is "Mother-and-Child Figure (Bwanga bwa Chibola)"?

Mother-and-Child Figure (Bwanga bwa Chibola) is Wood and pigment.

Is "Mother-and-Child Figure (Bwanga bwa Chibola)" in the public domain?

Yes, Mother-and-Child Figure (Bwanga bwa Chibola) is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Mother-and-Child Figure (Bwanga bwa Chibola)

Luluwa

Mid–late 19th century

Medium

Wood and pigment

Dimensions

28.9 × 8.6 × 8.2 cm (11 3/8 × 3 3/8 × 3 1/4 in.)

Classification

sculpture

Department

Arts of Africa

Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

Accession Number

125774

Rights

Public Domain

View on museum website →

About this artwork

This delicate rendering of a mother holding her newborn child celebrates human fertility. The figure was related to rituals dedicated to helping women with childbirth and preventing infant mortality. Scarification patterns, hairstyles, jewelry, and anatomical details expressed the Luluwa concept of bwimpe, which unites beauty with goodness. Such figures may have served as both containers for medicine and symbols of status, reflecting societal changes in the latter half of the 19th century.

Mother-and-Child Figure (Bwanga bwa Chibola)

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