Female Altar Bust - Luba-hemba - Drc - Early 20th Century - Primitive / Tribal Art

Bust representing a female figure, her hands placed on her chest in a nurturing gesture. The shoulders are straight, the face has a gentle expression, the gaze accentuated by coffee bean eyes. The headdress, arranged in a bun at the back, has a cruciform motif. The shoulder blades are marked in relief. The head is surmounted by a hollowed-out receptacle, intended to contain ritual offerings. Wood, old honey and brown patina, beautiful mark of use. Luba-Hemba, Democratic Republic of Congo, early 20th century Dimensions: 11 x 3.2 cm – With base: 13.1 cm Provenance: former collection in northern France Sold with certificate of authenticity from the expert Serge Reynes, guarantee of origin and period. "A small altar figure intended for domestic use, this female bust evokes a protective ancestor whose blessings were sought for the prosperity and balance of the family. The nourishing gesture of the hands on the chest and the presence of a receptacle on the head underline the role of this figure in the circulation of symbolic gifts between the living and the ancestors."