Africa | Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mbala Figure
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Pindi female figure
Carved wood
Early 20th century
Height: 11 ½ in. (29 cm)
Ex collection David Serra, Barcelona
Mbala Figure 29 cm / Galerie Flak
Price on request
As stated by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington DC, Mbala figures were used in the event of war, great disputes, bad harvests, epidemics, lack of game or natural disasters. According to 1915 fieldwork, the most important Mbala sculptures were called pindi and were always carved in pairs, a male and a female (or maternity) figures.
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