Mémoire d’Afrique — Ref. 163
Maternity statue — Toma, Guinea — African tribal art — Ref. 163
Description
This Toma maternity statue, originating from Guinea, is a powerful representation of fertility and the transmission of life. Carved from dense wood, it embodies a woman carrying two children, a symbol of maternal protection and lineage continuity. Its angular face, geometric scarifications and finely carved hairstyle testify to the skill of Toma artisans and to the importance of aesthetics in initiatory rites.
Used within Poro ceremonies, this statue played a spiritual role as a protective object and as an emblem of the values of maternity and feminine strength. The patina of use and traces of wear indicate long ritual use.
Technical details
- Type of piece
- Statue
- Category
- Statues
- Ethnic group
- TOMA
- Country
- Guinée
- Materials
- wood
- Dimensions
- H 115 × W 29 × D 34 cm
- Weight
- 20 kg
- Estimated dating
- second half 20th c.
- Laboratory test
- Not tested
- Reference
- 163