Colonial Hemba figure - SOLD OUT
Unlike all of the authentic African tribal art pieces we offer, this equally authentic statue sits halfway between tribal and colonial art. Brought back by a Belgian colonist before the independence of Zaire, this piece from the colonial era and claiming to be such, takes up the codes of Hemba statuary.
Thus, we find the treatment of the body quite cubist, the presence of scarifications on the trunk and a face of the most traditional, with the beard and the eyes in almonds.
The cap pulled back is also characteristic even if it forms here a ring instead of a cross. This is a piece strongly recalling the figures of Singiti ancestors in African Hemba art.
Towards the middle of the XXth century, the sculptors until now anonymous in African tribal art were gradually able to make themselves known on an individual basis as is the case in contemporary European art. Colonial art pieces therefore gradually acquired an increasingly important price on the market and in auctions.
00986
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Circa 1950
- Size
- 40 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Condition
- Excellent
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Unlike all of the authentic African tribal art pieces we offer, this equally authentic statue sits halfway between tribal and colonial art. Brought back by a Belgian colonist before the independence of Zaire, this piece from the colonial era and claiming to be such, takes up the codes of Hemba statuary.
Thus, we find the treatment of the body quite cubist, the presence of scarifications on the trunk and a face of the most traditional, with the beard and the eyes in almonds.
The cap pulled back is also characteristic even if it forms here a ring instead of a cross. This is a piece strongly recalling the figures of Singiti ancestors in African Hemba art.
Towards the middle of the XXth century, the sculptors until now anonymous in African tribal art were gradually able to make themselves known on an individual basis as is the case in contemporary European art. Colonial art pieces therefore gradually acquired an increasingly important price on the market and in auctions.