code: 2020-HA

a very fine carved wooden tribal art figure, known as:

Singiti

a commemorative portrait of a chief / king or ancestor,

with a sereen, tranquil contemplative expression,

made by the Hemba People, 

Zaire / Democratic Republic of the Congo,

exceptional, because usual these figures have their hands resting on their abdomen, this one is carved with free arms and hands,

condition: authentic shiny and smooth patine - not faked, on the last picture you can see small holes on it's back, they seem to be imperfections or old bug holes in the wood, already there before carving.

we see: 

a standing figure, fully symmetrical, arms and hands carved free from the body, a head significantly larger compared to the rest of the body, genitalia, stocky and bended legs, rudimentary squared feet, arched brows, elliptical eyes and mouth, a finely incised beard at the base of the chin, columnar neck, broad shoulders and curved arms, downcast eyes, a high forehead, the coiffure swept back with horizontal and vertical braids, held by a diadem or band,

the limpid gaze conveys an air of deep contemplation which is associated with the Hemba concept of ubatizha, the visual acquisition of knowledge. The Hemba privileged the gaze above all other senses and held that through long and unhurried scrutiny one could acquire the most profound knowledge of a person, object, or event. 

The state of tranquil contemplation help and guide those in the phenomenal world.

Age unknown,

height: circa 22 cm / circa 8.6 inch

weight: circa 228 gram

we are no experts on the subject of tribal art, we have done some research, trying to attribute this statue to a land, country, tribe or people, to the best we could - before bidding or buying do judge for yourself the tribal affilation and the correct age - we are selling this item "as is" and we will not accept returns if the buyer finds that we are wrong concerning these matters.