An elegant Bembe sculpture, crafted from robust reddish wood, the figure is standing on a wooden base, with a long almost cylindrical round torso and neck, crowned with a notably large head adorned with a goatee, small lips and well balanced features, characteristic of Bembe figures, the abdomen and cheeks boasts indented scarification, the artisan has expertly carved the figure's long arms, which gcarry two objetcs; with its flawless execution, this stylistically figure is glossy and shiny by use, some cracks on the face.

“The Bembe tribe (also known as Wa or Babembe) consists of two, geographically far apart groups: the so-called West Bembe live in the West of Africa, in the South of the Republic of the Congo (capital city: Brazzaville), in the territory of Stanley Pool (today: Malebo Pool) at the lower end of the Congo River. The East Bembe are settled, on the other hand, far away in the Southeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (capital: Kinshasa), on Lake Tanganjika, on the borders of Tanzania and Burundi. This division of the Bembe originates from migration many years ago. West and East Bembe can be differentiated by the form and style of their art. “

Source: 'Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika' by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 617, 620, 622; 'Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture' by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 89.

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Height: 30,5 cm
Weight: 460 g