Very rare woman statuette in wenge signed Mayola “Muta” Congo circa 1940

Wenge female statuette signed mayola - attributed to muta, known as christian mayola (belgian congo 1940-1950). Height 31 cm muta, known as christian mayola, born around 1885 in french equatorial africa and died around 1960 in léopoldville, is one of the most important african sculptors of the twentieth century, considered the father of modern congolese sculpture. He created a sculpture school in léopoldville in the early 1950s, which is mainly characterized by its use of wenge wood to represent typically congolese figurative characters. Surrounded by many students who developed the style he originated, he introduced his nephews grégoire massengo and benoit konongo to sculpture. For four decades, they perpetuated and developed this legacy, and in turn passed it on to a large number of sculptors. Today, they are considered the fathers of modern congolese sculpture. A private collection from equatorial africa from the first half of the 20th century is on sale.