Images of Motherhood in African Sculpture

George P. Landow, Professor of English and Art History, Brown University

[Left: Yoruba figure of mother and child from a staff used in worship of Shongo, the thunder god; wood, 16.5 inches high; illustrated Willett, 214; Anne d'Harnoncourt collection]

[Center: Dogon figure of mother and child; 101 cm. high; illustrated Vogel, 17; Carlo Monzoni Collection]

[Right: Afo figure of mother and child; 25.25 inches high; illustrated Willett, 142; Horniman Museum, London]