Standing female figure ·  D. R. Congo, Pende · ID: 3033469

Description

wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, long-legged, strong arms worked close to the body, carved necklace, dotted cheek scarifications, dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, traces of abrasion, on base;
Pende sculptors prefered feminine shapes in relation with the belief that women are more successful in obedience and concentration. These statues are to be found in the dwelling of the chief, in a special room towards the back. Their role is to protect him, as a kind of supernatural guardian angel. However neither the chief nor his wife had the right to enter this room. A so-called “room minister” is charged with the care and conservation of these sculptures. The statues admonish: “this chief is protected by guardian spirirts who have no reason to sleep or to close their eyes. If you want to do harm, you may be identified and punished.”

The object Standing female figure with the object ID 3033469 was last part of the auction 70th tribal art auction at September 8, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 451 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,500.

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Publications

Geist-Reich, exhibition cataltogue Volkshochschule Marl, 2000, p. 69