Dimensions and weight
Height: approx. 52 cm
Width: approx. 13 cm
Weight: approx.1.115 kg
Origin and cultural context
This statue originates from the Senufo people of Ivory Coast, Mali, and Burkina Faso. The Senufo are renowned for their ritual art and sculptures, which are central to spiritual and social practices. Maternity figures express fertility, lineage continuity, and the importance of transmitting values.
Statue features
Carved from wood, the statue shows a beautiful spotted patina acquired through time and ritual use. It depicts a seated woman carrying a ritual vessel on her head and holding a child. Scarifications are visible only on the chest, emphasizing both cultural identity and aesthetics. The elongated proportions and balanced posture highlight the skill of Senufo carvers.
Cultural significance
Senufo maternity statues embody fertility, protection, and the mother’s role as a transmitter of life and tradition. They were used in fertility rites, ancestor worship, and initiation ceremonies, symbolizing both maternal strength and spiritual mediation.
Provenance
Private collection ZAMBELLI/BRUGNACCHI, assembled between 1990 and 2023.
Transferred to the Spirit Land of Africa Gallery in 2023.
850.00 €
