Artist: Yombe peoples Region: Democratic Republic of the Congo Accession: X65.7497 Period: Late 19th century Materials: Wood, glass
This work was used to reverse infertility in women and was one of the objects belonging to a women’s group dedicated to female health and well-being. Figures of this type depicted young mothers endowed with all the marks of Yombe beauty: elegant and prolific scarification patterns on the chest and the back, a tall conical prestige headdress, elegantly filed teeth, and a serene composure befitting the proud mother of an infant child.
