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315 - Hemba ancestor statue Sculpture Heavy wood with a dark brown…
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Estimate €6,000 - €8,000
Sale commission
Description
Hemba ancestor statue Sculpture Heavy wood with a dark brown patina, crusty in places Tanganyika region, Democratic Republic of the Congo Early 20th century H43 cm This significant Hemba ancestor figure is distinguished by the calm authority of its presence and the remarkable quality of its sculptural construction. The composition is based on a subtle interplay of balance between geometric volumes and internal tension: a large, architecturally shaped head, a powerful neck, a narrow torso and strongly developed hips combine to form a silhouette of rare formal intensity. The face, with its deeply carved, half-closed eyelids, expresses the meditative restraint characteristic of the great Hemba ancestral figures. The domed forehead, extended by an elaborate hairstyle with an openwork crest, bears witness to an ancient stylistic vocabulary, reinforced by the fine scarifications engraved along the jawline and on the shoulders. The extreme stylisation of the forms, particularly in the treatment of the pelvis and compact legs, lends the whole an almost abstract presence, whilst retaining a profound human and spiritual depth. The arms, held close to the body, contribute to this dense, hieratic verticality. The surface bears an ancient, dark and nuanced patina, revealing a long history of ritual use and numerous handling. Certain signs of natural wear and erosion further accentuate the work’s ancient and authentic character. With its powerful simplicity and masterful balance, this sculpture belongs to the great tradition of Hemba ancestral effigies intended for lineage worship, where memory, authority and spiritual presence converge in a sculptural synthesis of rare modernity. This sculpture bears a resemblance to an important Hemba statue formerly owned by Jacques Kerchache, sold at Pierre Bergé & Associés, Drouot Montaigne, on 12 and 13 June 2006, particularly in the treatment of the face, the construction of the pelvis and the style of the headdress. These stylistic similarities suggest a common origin, likely from the same workshop, or even the same village of production.
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About the sale Sculptural furniture and functional art
Auction location
Auction time 06/25/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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