Luba Divination Fetish Rattle Congo Rohner Collection
Width: 2.25
Depth: 2.25
Description
The Luba, also known as the Baluba, is an ethnic group that primarily resides in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, specifically in the southern and eastern regions of the country. The Luba people have a rich cultural heritage and are well-known for their intricate and expressive masks.
The Luba female figure is crafted as a veneration of feminine beauty and motherhood. Crafted from wood, the Luba female figures are distinct with their hand-carved and distinctive headdresses. This figure is on top of a fetish rattle.
The history of the Luba people can be traced back 500 years as they have dominated part of the Congo during that time. Luba society is still a large culture, and their influence remains significant. Luba and their closely related neighbors the Hemba, are some of the most important crafters and carvers in Central Africa.
Provenance: John R. Rohner Collection
Rohner, a museum curator for decades, aimed his practiced eye for authenticity to African art beginning in the early 1980s. His passion for this art only grew through the decades he built his collection––always with an aim for a broad and representative array of pieces. The collection appears in his book, Art Treasures from African Runners (2000, University Press of Colorado).
Item #372 on pg. 171
Crack on the bottom gourd
Height: 10.75
Width: 2.25
Depth: 2.25
157287
Approximate Age: 20th Century
People: Luba
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Material
Condition
Overall Condition: Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.