Luba Gourd Figure, kabwelulu

DRC

Wood; gourd, sweating patina, shells, blue bead, lizard skin, old label

Height: 27.5cm

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This beautiful kabwelulu gourd figure combines a gourd and its rich magical components with the calm presence of a classical Luba sculpture. Perfect in its condition with all attributes still preserved, the contrast of the black, oily patina of the figure and the different magical charges creates a fascinating artwork of tremendous grace. With the top of the head hollowed out and thereby connecting the figure to the gourd, an entity is established in which the interaction of the different parts intensify each other. Used during initiation rites, in which magical charge was over and over added, the sculpture itself gained power with every new attribute.

Unlikely enduring time without losing magical material or even the gourd itself, intact Luba kabwelulu figures are very rare. However, to understand the concept of these figures, it is necessary to comprehend them in their entirety, especially as kabwelulu figures evolved with each time used. With this kabwelulu, this concerns the figure itself – whose oily, sweating patina only emerged from long and sustained usage – as well as the gourd. The materials attached to the gourd – objets trouvés coming from a broad environment – were added over the long span of time this Luba sculpture was ritually used and each of them was carefully chosen to enrich its potency. It is the thereby achieved contrast, like sculpture–gourd or sweating patina–smooth surface that leads to the captivating composition of this magnificent Luba artwork.