Africa | Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bembe figure
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Male figure
Bembe
Early 20th century
Carved wood
Height: 20 cm – 7 ¾ in.
Provenance
Collection Galerie Monbrison, Paris, 1980
Collection Alberto Costa Romero de Tejada, Barcelona
Collection Javier Lentini, Sant Cugat del Valles
Collection Hervé Loevenbruck, Paris
Publication
« Historia del Arte Universal. Ars Magna, T.2, El Esplendor del Ritual », 2008
Bembe figure 20 cm / Galerie FLAK
Price: on request
As noted by the Sainsbury Centre (University of East Anglia, UK), in reference to a comparable effigy, Bembe figures are small, and may constitute an actual representation of an ancestor, since they are shown holding an object evocative of the person concerned. In this case the man is holding a flintlock rifle and a large knife, showing that he was a good hunter and warrior.
Joseph Cornet notes in « A Survey of Zairian Art: The Bronson Collection » (Raleigh, North Carolina Museum of Art, 1978, 84-7) that the figures have the generic name mukuya, and form a link between man and the Creator Nzambi: their role is to protect the lineage and punish infringements of community custom.
Joseph Cornet notes in « A Survey of Zairian Art: The Bronson Collection » (Raleigh, North Carolina Museum of Art, 1978, 84-7) that the figures have the generic name mukuya, and form a link between man and the Creator Nzambi: their role is to protect the lineage and punish infringements of community custom.
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