code: 2024-YG

a fine, old, much handled, carved wooden tribal art figure, known as:

Singiti

- a commemorative portrait of a chief / king or ancestor -

made by the Hemba Peoples,

from Zaire / Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A male figure standing with slight bended knees, hands resting on the abdomen, fully symmetrical, the head significantly larger compared to the rest of the body, genitalia, rudimentary squared feet, arched brows, elliptical eyes and mouth, an incised beard at the base of the chin, columnar neck, broad shoulders and curved arms, a high forehead, the coiffure swept back and held by a diadem or band and on the back the typical cross shaped chignon

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.

condition: authentic encrusted patine, 

all edges and detailed carving smoothened because of many times of handling

- do see all pictures for the overall very good condition, they are part of the description -

age: first half 20th Century

height: circa 23,5 cm / circa 9.2 inch

base: circa 6,5 x 6,5 cm / circa 2.5 x 2.5 inch

weight: circa 322 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 and judged the age 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.