LULUWA STATUE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Wood H.: 37 cm (14??? in.) A Luluwa figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo Provenance: Collected at Dibaya by Paul Timmermans before 1959 Collection of Jean-Jacques Rotthier (1932–2009), Brussels, then passed down through the family Public auction: Christie’s, London, Important Tribal Art, 17 June 1980, lot no. 28 Exhibitions: Baltimore (United States), Baltimore Museum of Art, 1977 Bibliography: Timmermans (Paul), ‘Essai de typologie de la sculpture des Bena Lulua du Kasaï’, Afrika-Tervuren, fig. 4 Brown (H. K. Kellim), ‘Southern Kasai Hands’ / Les Mains du Sud-Kasaï, Brussels, Congo Basin Art History Research Centre, 2011, p. 16, fig. 1 This male figure is distinguished by the richness of its symbolic scarifications and the elegance of its hairstyle, centred around a central plait. Despite its masculine appearance, it served as a figure of motherhood within the Bwanga Bwa Cibola cult, dedicated to fertility, safe childbirth and the protection of newborns. Endowed with both therapeutic and protective virtues, such sculptures were used in rituals designed to invoke the goodwill of the ancestors and ensure the well-being of mothers and their children. A LULUWA FIGURE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO Wood H.: 14??? in. Provenance: Collected by Paul Timmermans in Dibaya before 1959 Jean-Jacques Rotthier Collection (1932–2009), Brussels, then by descent Public auction: Christie’s, London, Important Tribal Art, 17 June 1980, lot 280 Exhibitions: Baltimore, United States, Baltimore Museum of Art, 1977 Bibliography: Timmermans (Paul), ‘Essai de typologie de la sculpture des Bena Lulua du Kasaï’, Afrika-Tervuren, fig. 4 Brown (H. K. Kellim), *Southern Kasai Hands / Les Mains du Sud-Kasaï*, Brussels: Congo Basin Art History Research Centre, 2011, p. 16, fig. 1 This male figure displays intricate symbolic scarifications and an elegantly carved coiffure defined by a central crest. Despite its male appearance, it functioned as a maternity figure within the bwanga bwa Cibola cult. This specialised spiritual association was dedicated to promoting fertility, ensuring safe childbirth, and protecting newborn children. Serving both therapeutic and protective purposes, figures such as this one were used in rituals intended to invoke ancestral blessings and safeguard the well-being of mothers and their infants.