Name of Artifact: African Maternal Figure
Original Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Year of Production: Early 20th Century
Material: Wood
Dimensions: Not specified
Current Location: Brooklyn Museum, New York, USA
Background Information:
This artifact is a representation of maternity and fertility from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dating back to the early 20th century. Such sculptures are often associated with rituals and ceremonies celebrating motherhood and the community’s reverence for the continuation of lineage through childbirth. The stylized features and abstract form are characteristic of the region’s artistic expression, focusing on the essence of human form rather than realistic portrayal. This sculpture, in particular, may have been used in ceremonial contexts or as a protective talisman for expectant mothers and their unborn children. The seated posture and the way the child clings to the mother symbolize the bond between generations and the community’s emphasis on the family unit as a cornerstone of society.