Antique Mpundu Tabwa Doll with Beads (DRC)

A beautifully carved wooden  Tabwa doll with all feminine attributes (breasts and protruding navel) and scarifications. These dolls, often referred to as "mpundu," hold significant cultural and spiritual importance within the Tabwa community.   

Symbolic significance: They are believed to represent ancestors, twins, or fertility.

Use in rituals: Tabwa dolls were used in various rituals and ceremonies, including those related to fertility, childbirth, and the protection of children.

Date: 20th Century
Origin: Tabwa
Country: South East DRC
Material: Wood
Height: 20.5 cm
Width: 7.5 cm
Provenance:

Provenance: Personal Collection, France

Expected surface wear with scuffs, chips, abrasions commensurate with age and use. Cracks visible. The wood has developed a warm patina resulting from age and use.