1 / 4
statue of a woman holding a baby in her armsstatue of a man sitting on a stool with a hat onstatue of a man with a hat on his head on a pedestalstatue of a man with a hat on his head in a dark room
FRANCOIS EPIN ART & DESIGN CONSULTING

356 - Democratic Republic of the Congo, 20th century
See original version (French)

Estimate €300 - €700
Sale commission
Description
Democratic Republic of the Congo, 20th century Hemba ancestor statue Heavy wood, reddish-brown patina H51 cm This sculpture depicts a male figure seated in a frontal, hieratic pose, holding a symbol of power. It forms part of the corpus of Singiti ancestor statuary of the Hemba people. The oval face, with half-closed almond-shaped eyes and a straight nose, is surmounted by a headdress carved in parallel bands extending towards the back of the skull. The right arm is raised; the hand holds a staff or sceptre of command. The left arm hangs down alongside the body, the hand resting on the hip. The figure is depicted seated, with short, powerful legs resting on a thick circular base. The navel is discreetly marked in slight relief. The Hemba, who live in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are particularly renowned for their effigies of ancestors, known as singiti. These figures commemorated the founding ancestors of the lineages, notably deceased chiefs, and helped to legitimise power and ensure the continuity of the lineage. Hemba figures are generally depicted standing, but some are seated and hold symbols of power. The seated position may, in particular, be associated with the prestige and high status of the figure depicted.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Sculptural furniture and functional art
Auction location
Auction time 09/27/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like