AFRICARTMARKET
Authenticity | Heritage | Valorization
CERTIFICATE OF APPRAISAL
Object Title
Procreation Statue (Phemba, Kongo/Yombe)
Traditional Art | Kongo Kingdom (DRC/Angola)
Date / Period & Dimensions
Period: Antique (Circa 1850-1880)
Height: 30 cm | Width: 14 cm | Depth: 15 cm | Base Diameter: N/A
DESCRIPTION
Masterful wood carving with a crusty and lustrous patina of wear, representing a typical Phemba (mother with child) figure in the Yombe style. The piece is characterized by a dignified seated posture, an intricate crested coiffure, and very fine facial scarifications. The anatomical treatment, particularly the hands resting on the knees and the detailed feet, confirms it as the work of an attested Master Sculptor from the Vili area.
The state of conservation is exceptional, with no major restorations. Internal traces of wear, surface erosions, and residual deposits confirm its pre-colonial antiquity and prolonged ritual use. This work is referenced in the archives of the G. Leblanc collection (Paris, 1965) and featured in the publication "Kongo Royal Arts," 2004, Plate 45.
The state of conservation is exceptional, with no major restorations. Internal traces of wear, surface erosions, and residual deposits confirm its pre-colonial antiquity and prolonged ritual use. This work is referenced in the archives of the G. Leblanc collection (Paris, 1965) and featured in the publication "Kongo Royal Arts," 2004, Plate 45.
Insurance Valuation:
Min.$160,000 USD
Max.$240,000 USD
Auction Estimate:
Min.$130,000 USD
Max.$195,000 USD
Contractual photographs as of the appraisal date.