Hemba Ancestor AAA836 sculpture

This Hemba sculpture, dating from the 20th century in the Democratic Republic of Congo, measures 13.5x28x99 cm. It represents a classical Hemba ancestor, with his hands placed on his umbilicus, his eyes ajar, evoking the nobility of the ancestors and reinforcing the family lineage. These figures were presented at crucial ceremonies, thereby consolidating the position of the family. As a spiritual container, this sculpture facilitates the connection between the world of the dead and that of the living, embodying the ritual and cultural importance of natural wood Hemba art.