Ngbaka Zande figure
African art of Ubangi
This African wooden statuette with a simple body, without arms but with beautiful facial scarifications extended on the trunk, comes from a Lille collection transmitted by heritage. It consists of many objects collected in the 1960s in the regions bordering the border between DR Congo and the Central African Republic.
The piece I am showing you here is probably from the Zande or Ngbaka. In view of the style, it must come from the region located at the junction of the fourth north parallel and 22nd east meridian.
The scarifications present on the face and the trunk correspond to those worn by the individuals of these regions as seen in the contextual photo. Many ethnic groups coexist in northern DR Congo along the Ubangi River. It is therefore not always easy to determine the exact origin of the pieces given the additional fact that artistic boundaries have always been porous in African art.
All these groups nevertheless sculpt figurines linked to initiation societies. We see an example here in a contextual photo as well.
01458
Data sheet
- Size
- 31 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Condition
- Excellent
African art of Ubangi
This African wooden statuette with a simple body, without arms but with beautiful facial scarifications extended on the trunk, comes from a Lille collection transmitted by heritage. It consists of many objects collected in the 1960s in the regions bordering the border between DR Congo and the Central African Republic.
The piece I am showing you here is probably from the Zande or Ngbaka. In view of the style, it must come from the region located at the junction of the fourth north parallel and 22nd east meridian.
The scarifications present on the face and the trunk correspond to those worn by the individuals of these regions as seen in the contextual photo. Many ethnic groups coexist in northern DR Congo along the Ubangi River. It is therefore not always easy to determine the exact origin of the pieces given the additional fact that artistic boundaries have always been porous in African art.
All these groups nevertheless sculpt figurines linked to initiation societies. We see an example here in a contextual photo as well.