Bambara Maternity Hospital

This is a representation of motherhood, used in rituals initiated by women to promote fertility. She is depicted with great dignity and an impassive face, standing upright, with broad, flat shoulders, seated on a circular stool. The geometrization and schematization of the forms are striking; her breasts are prominent and conical, and her marked hips allude to fertility, which is very present in Bamana society and in African art in general. Her short legs and the lack of detail in her feet are noteworthy, as in Bamana society a woman is not important for her work, but for conceiving and nurturing future generations.
She holds in her hands a container attached to her belly, which symbolizes the child to come. The image is completed with a developed hairstyle in the shape of a dome or crest and two mats resting on her breasts.

Bambara sculpture is intimately linked to the religious beliefs and rituals of initiation societies. According to the findings of a group of archaeologists in 1940, the earliest wood carvings date back to the 14th century.

Condition: Very good state of preservation. It shows dark patina, which is bleached and flaking in some areas.

BAMBARA MATERNITY
Mali, 20th century

Bambara sculptures are linked to initiation rites and religious beliefs, focused on fertility and generational continuity. Productions like this, dated from the 14th century according to archaeological findings, reflect the centrality of women and motherhood in the art and culture of Mali.

The sculpture is in very good condition, with its original dark patina, although it has whitened areas and slight surface detachments.