Ancestor figure ·  D. R. Congo, Basikasingo · ID: 3034723

Description

wood, reddish brown patina with remains of blackish paint, tube-shaped shoulders and arms densely enclosing the elongated trunk, helmet-shaped coiffure, face with elongated tapering chin and asymmetrical facial features, slightly dam., cracks (base, right side of head and body), paint rubbed off, minor missing parts (backside);
the Basikasingo have rites for ancestors, who have the power to cause disease and misfortune. If a mischief happened, people tried to experience the wishes of the ancestors by interpreting dreams and by sooth saying. They were kept in small shrines under the authority and guardianship of a petty chief, village headman or dominant lineage elder. Sometimes such figures were individually identified ancestors, called “bashumbu”.

The object Ancestor figure with the object ID 3034723 was last part of the auction 73rd tribal art auction at May 25, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 354.

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