Standing male figure
D. R. Congo, Tabwa
not available anymore
Provenance
German Private Collection, collected in situ (1983-1985)Size
H: 60,5 cm
H: 23.8 inch
Description
heavy wood, brown patina, remains of pigments, compact body, both hands resting on the belly, spherical head with heart-shaped facial plane, flattened chin and fine carved coiffure, min. dam., insect caused missing parts (base, coiffure), fine cracks, traces of abrasion;
Tabwa sculpture found its sources in two worlds, Luba to the west and north and Azania to the east and south. From the Luba they borrowed clan ancestor figures, sometimes in pairs, and kept in special shrines. Present figure might well have been the male part of such a couple.
Comparing literature
Roberts, Allen F. & Evan M. Maurer (ed.), Tabwa, Washington D.C. 1985, p. 137Publications
AHDRC: 0142383