Standing female ancestor figure

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Description

wood, reddish brown patina, blackish brown paint, symmetrical body with voluptuous female forms, regular facial features, pronounced back of the head, fine dashed tattoos, slightly dam., cracks (back), rep. (both feet), both foot tips missing, mounted on pedestal;
depicting a well-fed woman of high rank, the heavy breasts referring to motherhood. Figures of the Mangbetu are rare and can be looked upon as ancestor figures in general. Their style is affected by a lengthened skull, the most outstanding beauty ideal of Mangbetu aristocracy. Individuals of advanced age among the Mangbetu still designate these statues by the name “beli”. According to them, they were used in hidden locals by the secret society of the name “nebeli”.
Im former times the Mangbetu had a prosperous kingdom. Their art in general is court-oriented, and was reserved for the ruling classes. It reflected wealth, and prestige of its owners and therefore was mainly restricted on the design of basic commodities and ritual objects which is why figures are rather rare to be found.

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Comparing literature

Kerchache, Jacques, Paudrat, Jean-Louis u.a., Die Kunst des Schwarzen Afrika, Freiburg, Basel, Wien 1988, p. 581 Baeke, Viviane (ed.), Treasures from the Africa-Museum Tervuren, Tervuren 1995, ill. 223 f.

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