Bembe is an ethnic group from the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is a male ancestor figure of the eastern Bembe, there is also a Western Bembe tribe in the southwest of Congo, with an entirely different artistic style!. This figure could possibly also originate from a Basikasingo clan, a related sub-tribe of the eastern Bembe, with a very similar style. The present sculpture made of hard, heavy wood displays all the features of the Basikasingo style also called Pre-Bembe style. It has a proportionally large head, with a long-drawn triangular face with large, slanted eyes, long nose, protruding smallmouth. Very typical are also the broad, protruding shoulders, the curved back, and the short, bent legs. On its crest, this male ancestor figure displays a round cavity for ‘magical substances’. A rare piece with all the important stylistic features of the Eastern Bembe (or Basikasingo), with good patina, the figure has some damage but looks quite interestingly old.
- Material: Wood
- Condition: Visible damage around the hands and the back
- Age:approx 55-70yrs
- Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
- SKU: CSTA-055A
- Weight: 3 kg
- Dimensions: 15 x 46 x 12 cm