Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yombe people
19th century
Wood, pigment, shell or glass inlay, fiber, metal, applied ritual material
Height 8 1/4 in (21 cm)
Provenance: John Arieta, London
This compact standing figure displays the inlaid eyes, carefully defined hands and feet, and forward-facing posture characteristic of Kongo and Yombe figural conventions associated with protective, judicial, and healing functions. Applied ritual material is gathered at the front of the torso, with additional elements suspended at the back, and brass tacks and surface additions are integrated into the overall form. Among works of this type, the carved body and accumulated material were understood to work together to activate the object's spiritual force rather than serve a purely representational purpose.
The small scale makes the precision of the carving especially notable, with careful facial modeling, limb definition, and surface treatment all rendered with care within the 8 1/4 inch form.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yombe people
19th century
Wood, pigment, shell or glass inlay, fiber, metal, applied ritual material
Height 8 1/4 in (21 cm)
Provenance: John Arieta, London
This compact standing figure displays the inlaid eyes, carefully defined hands and feet, and forward-facing posture characteristic of Kongo and Yombe figural conventions associated with protective, judicial, and healing functions. Applied ritual material is gathered at the front of the torso, with additional elements suspended at the back, and brass tacks and surface additions are integrated into the overall form. Among works of this type, the carved body and accumulated material were understood to work together to activate the object's spiritual force rather than serve a purely representational purpose.
The small scale makes the precision of the carving especially notable, with careful facial modeling, limb definition, and surface treatment all rendered with care within the 8 1/4 inch form.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
