Standing female figure · D. R. Congo, Ngombe · ID: 3042068
Description
light brown wood, slightly shiny patina, blackened in parts, round head with pierced pupils, the navel accentuated by brass tag and incised scarification marks, old label at the left foot “Trouve village (unreadable) territoire de Kungu Mission de Bamanya”, another one at the right foot “62”, rep. (breakage right foot), small missing parts through insect caused damage, cracks, traces of abrasion, base;
since 1870 the Ngombe live in various areas in the Northeastern part of Zaire, between the rivers Ubangi and Zaire. Their art shows a big resemblance with their neighbours, the Ngbandi, Bwaka, Togbo and Ngala, so that a clear distinction is difficult. The few figures known from the Ngombe were used by the diviner “bendo” before the hunt.
The object Standing female figure with the object ID 3042068 was last part of the auction 85th Tribal Art Auction at March 4, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 414.
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Comparing literature
Pecci, Joaquin, Femina, Brussels 2006, ill. 23