1969.S.21 Seated female figure with child (pfemba)

Femininity, composure, intense concentration, and, most importantly, maternity are epitomized in Yombe mother and child figures. An upswept miter-like hairstyle or hat frames the mother's face, with its carefully composed expression. Her imported glass eyes "see" beyond this world to the spirit world. Beautifying features include filed teeth and scarifications on her neck, shoulders, and back. The kitanda string worn above her breasts signifies poise and order. She sits cross-legged on a box-throne and leans forward; she is strong but flexible, like a palm tree. Figures like this are believed to have been used in women's fertility cult rituals.

An infant lies on the mother's lap. Is it dead or alive? A clear indication of vitality would be an infant depicted nursing or with flexed knees. This mother's right hand covers the child's legs, making it impossible to determine the infant's condition.

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.

n.d: Walschot Collection, Brussels

n.d.: Stillman Collection, New York

1969: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, gift of Eugene and Margaret McDermott, purchased from above [1]

Notes:

The main source for this provenance is the object record card in the Collections Records object file.

[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.

Apply to objects where number equals 1969.S.21