Lwena Figure
 
Country: Angola.
Culture: Lwena (Luena).
Date: first quarter of the 20th century.
Medium: wood, metal, pyro engraving and pigments.                       
Size: h. 29,5 cm (11½ in.) - incl. base 34 cm (13½ in.).
Reference: LWEIV4/1.
Provenance:
ex collection Jean-Marc Desaive (1960-2023), Soumagne (Belgium).
ex collection Jo de Buck, Brussels. 
ex collection H. Kellim Brown, Ormond Beach, FL (USA)/Brussels.
Extra: The Lwena (Luena) is an ethnic group living in Angola and Zambia. They speak a Bantu language belonging to the Chokwe-Lunda language group. Luena art is recognised by the gentleness of its lines and forms. Their sculptures are largely influenced by the Chokwe.
This fetish figure is associated with the mytical and deceased ancestors and is used to intervene in human fertility.
Characteristic of this gem of African sculpture are the large headdress with sculpted linear surfaces, the metal coverings of the eyes and mouth, the bent knees, flattened shoulders, and pronounced buttocks. The yellow-brown, beautifully patinated wood contrasts wonderfully with the typical scarifications, which were applied by pyro engraving to the face, hands, feet, and lower back.
 
Photo credit: © Jean Godecharle.