Ancestor Figure - Hemba - Drc - Late 19th / Early 20th Century - Primitive / Tribal / African Art

Statuette representing a naked male ancestor, standing on a circular pedestal, supported by sturdy legs with slightly bent knees. The belly, round and generous, is emphasized by the hands placed on its edge. The torso is swollen, his face displays a beautiful protective expression. The eyebrow arches sculpted in relief and his coffee bean eyes reinforce this vigilant presence. The chin is covered with a multi-row beard, the distinctive sign of an eminent ancestor. His open forehead is surmounted by a hoop decorated with lines. At the back of the head, a circular bun is adorned with a rectangular outgrowth with a zigzag decoration (broken pedestal, glued). Hardwood, old brown and honey patina, significant signs of use, traces of red ochre pigment on the bun. Hemba, Democratic Republic of Congo, late 19th / early 20th century Dimensions: 21 x 6.5 cm – With base: 23 cm. Provenance: old collection from northern France Sold with certificate of authenticity from the expert Serge Reynes, guarantee of origin and period. * Shipping costs on estimate. Singiti ancestor figures occupy a central place in the Hemba ritual universe. While large statues measuring 55 to 90 cm were used for community worship, smaller figures like this one were kept on domestic altars. They allowed an individual or a family to maintain a personal connection with the spirit of an ancestor and to solicit their benevolence. By their presence, these figures embodied lineage memory and ensured spiritual protection within the home.