African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Mbole Statuette

Mbole Statuette (N° 27043)

Sculpted according to traditional mbole conventions, this African statuette offers a resigned and suffering physiognomy and a classic posture: legs bent, arms bent in an unnatural way, hands resting on the thighs.
Velvety yellow-brown patina. Erosions.

The Mbole are known for their statues embodying, according to D. Biebuck, hanged men, called ofika. The lilwa, an association with dogmatic initiation rites, had the custom of judging and condemning to hanging those guilty of infractions of the imposed rules. These offenses ranged from murder to adultery to breaking the secret surrounding the lilwa. Dishonored, the bodies of the condemned received no funeral and were buried in the forest. It was during the end of initiation ceremonies, presided over by a notable isoya, that these statues were exhibited, presented lying on a litter.  

Sold 


This item is sold with its certificate of authenticity

Estimate shipping cost





OriginEx-collection belge
EthnyMbole
Countryrdc ex zaire
Material(s)wood
Height cm37
Width8 cm
Weight0.88 Kg
Estimated datingmid-xx°
Socle includedYes

You could also be interested by these items

You must login to access these options
   Warn me if a similar item is added to the catalog
   Warn me if the price decreases
Manage my alerts


You have question on this item ? contact us