Ritual statue, Congo

The traditional African ritual statuette shows highly stylized and geometric body proportions. The dominant hemispherical head bears finely carved features. The extremely elongated neck and torso with one conical breast are tightly wrapped in natural material, creating a distinctive spiral relief. The short, massive lower limbs are depicted in a slight squat and ensure the stability of the entire figural composition.

This specific type of sculpture served young women and girls as a protective amulet and ritual aid to ensure fertility, healthy motherhood and easy childbirth. Women carried the statuettes with them, cared for them as if they were real children and believed that through them they communicated with the spiritual forces responsible for the continuity of the family.

Congo, Africa, early 20th century, wood, h. 38 cm