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Figure: Seated Female Nursing Child

Master of the Boma-Vonde Region

Not on view

The female figures attributed to the Master of Boma-Vonde constitute denser, rounded bodily presences. The woman’s head is proportionally dominant, and her voluptuous body envelops that of the infant. While there is no documentation of the original purpose of this work, many such Kongo maternities were likely used in the practice of ritual specialists devoted to women’s concerns ranging from infertility to midwifery.

Figure: Seated Female Nursing Child, Master of the Boma-Vonde Region, Wood, kaolin, glass, Kongo peoples; Yombe group

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