Wood. Weight: 6,848 g (15.10 lb). Height: 70.0 cm (27.56 in).

A large and impressive Senufo maternity sculpture from Côte d'Ivoire depicting a seated mother with two infants resting on her lap. Carved from a single block of wood, the figure displays many of the aesthetic qualities associated with classical Senufo sculpture: an elongated neck, stylized facial features, carefully balanced proportions, and a strong sense of composure and dignity.

The mother is represented seated on a circular stool, a symbol of status and stability, while the two children emphasize themes of fertility, lineage continuity, and the transmission of life. Throughout Senufo society, female imagery occupied an important place within ritual and social thought, embodying ideals of nurture, prosperity, and communal well-being.

Particularly striking is the elaborate coiffure, rendered as four projecting lobes above the head, creating a powerful and highly distinctive silhouette. The serene face, scarification marks, and simplified volumes reflect the restrained elegance for which Senufo sculpture has long been admired by collectors and scholars alike.

The surface bears a deep, dark patina developed through age, handling, and ritual use. Areas of wear, deposits, and surface abrasion are consistent with prolonged use and attest to the object's history within a traditional context. The lower section of the legs displays expected age-related wear.

Both visually compelling and culturally significant, this large maternity figure represents one of the most enduring themes in West African art: the celebration of motherhood as the foundation of social continuity, spiritual protection, and collective identity.