Description : wood, fabric, sacrificial traces, base The main accent of this figure lies on the big head with its beautiful clear-cut and even, almost Cubist-looking facial features. For the head, as the source of wisdom, was of paramount importance to the Hemba, as was the navel, which was considered to be the point of connection with the ancestors. These figures were commissioned by senior chiefs to show their connection to the common ancestral history. But not every Hemba chief was honored with such a depiction. Such commissions were divinely sanctioned when a sitting chief was visited in a dream by one of his predecessors and this was interpreted as a sign that a singiti figure should be carved in that individual?s honor. Like many of the famous ancestral figures of the Hemba, these royal figures are understood as a symbol of classical African art. Published in: Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Afrika, Maske und Skulptur, Olten 1989, ill. 99
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Estimate (low-high) : 8500 EUR-25000 EURIt's free to register now to view!
About the lot N° 108 Title : Large Ancestor Figure Of A Tribal Chief Size : H: 123,5 cm, H: 48,6 inch Provenance : René Rickli, Olten, Switzerland Literature : Neyt, Francois, La Grande Statuaire Hemba du Zaire, Louvain-la-Neuve 1977, p. 240 Condition report : See description Zemanek-Muenster, auctioneer, Würzburg, DEIt's free to register now to view! Sale title : 92 Tribal Art Auction Sale date : 29 Jun 2019It's free to register now to view! Sale Reference : Live Sale