Bambara fertility statue — Bambara, Mali — African tribal art — Ref. 246

Description

Superb wooden Bambara statue representing a pregnant woman in a posture of protection and benevolence. Her right arm gently caresses her rounded belly, a gesture symbolising fertility and motherhood. Her face presents deep ritual scarifications, and her head, pierced with multiple holes, probably testifies to the addition of feathers or ornaments, reinforcing her spiritual role.
The old patina and natural wear of the wood attest to its authenticity and prolonged ritual use. Despite the loss of the left arm, the statue retains all its aesthetic and symbolic strength, embodying Bambara traditions linked to maternal protection and fertility.

Technical details

Type of piece

Statue

Category

Statues

Ethnic group

Bambara

Country

Mali

Materials

wood

Dimensions

H 65 × W 17 × D 18 cm

Weight

2,64 kg

Estimated dating

second half 20th c.

Laboratory test

Not tested

Reference

246