Congolese Luba Wood Nude Female Divination Figure

Lot 57d

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Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more

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Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM by Artemis Fine Arts

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Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa F...

By Artemis Fine Arts

Aug 22, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-08-22 10:00:00 2025-08-22 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/indigenous-art---ralph-t-coe-center-santa-fe-nm-20324 Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com

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Lot Description

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Luba people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A standing female figure carved from dense, dark hardwood. The figure presents a poised frontal stance with solid, squared feet and legs. Her arms bend inward, hands placed at the lower ribs, just beneath prominent, forward-thrusting breasts. She is rendered nude, with defined genitalia and a long, cylindrical neck that supports an oval head. Elaborate scarification motifs - incised on the abdomen, chest, and arms - signify high status and cultural identity within Luba society. Figures of this type are believed to have been used in divination contexts and may represent women known as bifukwa, spirit mediums. Size: 4.5" W x 16.5" H (11.4 cm x 41.9 cm)

Ralph T. Coe recorded a brief account for this piece, attributing it to a practitioner of divination - stating that a female diviner among the Luba of Katanga was known as a bifwikwa. In his notes, Coe described bifikwa as women believed to be possessed by the spirit of an ancient hero, serving as important mediums and sometimes adopting male-associated symbols such as a spear and axe. He recounted that a medium named Ilunga Mwila of Kalongo was regarded as especially significant, keeping statues and ritual objects for divination rites. According to Coe's narrative, many of these objects were taken during the Belgian colonial period by Henri Matton, then Police Chief, who allegedly arrested Mwila for witchcraft and transported the shrine contents to Belgium. While this story adds cultural and historical depth, it has not been corroborated in published ethnographic or historical literature and may represent a blend of oral tradition and local memory.

Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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#196224

Condition

Stable pressure fissures and crack on the left foot. Old insect hole on the underside of the feet. Some abrasions and chips, but intact with lustrous patina.
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