A Large Finely Carved ‘Cup Carrier’ of a Women with Child

A Large Finely Carved ‘Cup Carrier’ of a Women with Child
Superb colour and rich patina Wood
Tschokwe, Democratic Republic of Congo
Early 20th Century

Size: 42cm high - 16½ ins high

Provenance:
Old French collection
Ex Lucas Ratton, Paris, France
Ex Private English collection

A rare sculpture, possibly unique in this rendition. Symbolic of ‘Motherhood’ this beautiful Tschokwe cup carrier is an important part of the cannon of African Art. The child is carved on the central part of the statue, protected by his mothers arms. The facial features are exemplary examples of the great sculptors of this ethnic group. Mother and Child figures are relatively rare in Tschokwe art.