Seated female ancestor figure "singiti
Click here to view a larger version of the imageLot: 83
98th AuctionSeated female ancestor figure "singiti
D. R. Congo, Hemba
Provenance | Size | Starting price / estimated price |
---|---|---|
Joseph Christiaens, Brussels, Belgium Zemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 25 February 2006, Lot 254 Werner Zintl, Worms, Germany |
L: 9.1 inch; H: 13 inch |
This object is not available anymore. |
wood, base
Female figures in a comparable sitting posture with outstretched legs are usually complemented by a bowl. They are found among the Luba and are called "mboko".
The present unusual figure, however, is conceived without a bowl, both hands resting on the thighs. Her facial features express a great calmness, her shoulders are taut and her posture extremely dignified despite her seated position. With her rich scarifications, she probably represents a female ancestor of high social rank "singiti".
Stylistically, it can be assigned to the style region classified by Neyt in his standard work "La Grande Statuaire Hemba du Zaire" as "Muhona - Nkuvu" (cf. Neyt, 1977, p. 238).
A female figure of the same workshop was auctioned at Zemanek-Münster on May 12, 2007 as lot 415 (cf. AHDRC 0028375).