1 / 3
Photo 1/3 du lotPhoto 2/3 du lotPhoto 3/3 du lot
MILLON

9 - Bust of a dignitary with a sagittal crest Wood, with an old …
See original version (French)

Estimate €200 - €300
Sale commission
Description
Bust of a dignitary with a sagittal crest Wood, with an old brown and honey-coloured patina Bembe, Kivu–Tanganyika region, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 19th – early 20th century 15.5 × 6.5 cm The Bembe people inhabit the regions between Lake Tanganyika and the Kivu highlands, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Close to several sculptural traditions of the Great Lakes region, they have developed an art form centred on ancestral figures, objects of prestige and sculptures linked to mediatory practices and the memory of lineages. The treatment of the faces often emphasises inner depth and restraint rather than overt expressiveness. This small bust depicts a seated figure wearing a high sagittal crest, a common feature in depictions of dignitaries from this region. The watchful gaze, the pointed goatee and the absence of scarification emphasise the figure’s serene and meditative nature. The soft modelling, the balance of the forms and the simplicity of the composition lend this work a quiet presence and great sculptural quality.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Journey Across the Continents (sale without live performance)
Auction location
Auction time 09/10/2026 at 1:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like