Standing figure · D. R. Congo, Southern Congo, between Kasai and Sankuru Rivers, Bena Lulua, Bakwa Ndolo · ID: 3052755
Kellim Brown, USA / Belgium (2011)
Berend Hoekstra Collection, Brussels, Belgium
Native, Brussels, 27 January 2018, lot 37
Carlos Bassó Collection, Barcelona, Spain
By descent, 2022
Native, Brussels, 1 February 2022, lot 55
Kellim Brown, Brussels, Belgium
Private Collection Germany
Description
wood, thick encrusted patina of pigment residues (red and white), handwritten collection no.: “HKB3309”, base
In his publication Southern Kasai Hands, Kellim Brown conducted extensive field research on Bakwa Ndolo figures from two well-known sculptor families or schools, named Luboyi and Mulumba. They all lived and worked in Mbumba or the surrounding region. Their carving tradition begins with Luboyi Kamulu, who carved in the second half of the 19th century. His offspring remained active throughout the 20th century.
His son, Luboyi Wandibu, worked in the later part of the 19th and early 20th century. Based on stylistic characteristics, Brown attributes the present figure to him and dates it to the late 1880s. Brown also presents other figurative works attributed to this artist (see pp. 18-19, figs. 6 & 7).
Publications
Brown, Kellim, Southern Kasai Hands, Brussels 2011 (front-back cover & p. 17, fig. 2); Expo cat.: BRUNEAF, Brussels Non European Art Fair XXI, Brussels, 2011, p. 25
AHDRC: 0032579
Exhibition
Brussels, Belgium: BRUNEAF, Brussels Non European Art Fair XXI, 8-12 June 2011