African Arts Gallery

Symbol of power, this African statuette glorifies the ancestor and mythical hero founder of the ethnic group, Chibinda Ilunga. The chiefs had a major function in the rites of propitiation intended for the hunt and the fertility of women. Applications of castor oil and coloring vegetable decoctions were generally administered to the surface.
Breakage (arm and base).

Peacefully settled in eastern Angola until the 16th century, the Chokwé were then subjected to the Lunda empire from which they inherited a new hierarchical system and the sacredness of power. Three centuries later, they ended up seizing the capital of the Lunda weakened by internal conflicts, thus contributing to the dismantling of the kingdom. The Chokwé did not have centralized power but large ...

French collection of African art This African doll associated with fertility symbolizes the marriage vows and the child that will be born of this union. It is the fiancé who makes it and decorates it with multiple trinkets, beads, textiles, shells, leather and talismans, before offering it to the young woman. The Kirdi, or "pagans", as the Islamized peoples have named them, are established in the far north of Cameroon, on the border with Nigeria. They include the Matakam, Kapsiki, Margui, Mofou, Massa, Toupouri, Fali, Namchi, Bata, Do ayo... They live from agriculture, fishing and livestock breeding.
Among the Fali, ancestor worship is illustrated by the great importance given to the skulls of the deceased, because thought and knowledge resided there.

French collection of African art .
Often sporting a high horned headdress with complex elements, this type of African statue depicts a character sitting on a stool. Here, metal replaces the forearms. Dark matte patina. Desiccation cracks.
In the southern region of the Niger Delta in Nigeria, the Ikenga is a personal altar belonging to a man. It is the symbol of personal accomplishment and success (okpossi), the representation of his tutelary spirit (chi, vital energy), as well as the recipient of sacrifices offered periodically or prior to the commitment of an important action (most often to ifejioku, the divinity of yam, or to ale, the goddess of the earth). In addition, ike , "power", refers to the force that the right hand exerts in the effort. Closely linked to a secret ...

Ex-Belgian collection of African art.
In African art, statuettes Lega. The teacher guided the aspirant where African lega masks and statuettes were exhibited, and it was through attentive observation that the future initiate had to guess the more or less complex meaning of these objects, true metaphors. referring largely to proverbs and sayings. Thick golden beige cracked patina. Erosions.
Within the Léga, the Bwami society open to men and women, organized social and political life. There were up to seven levels of initiation, each associated with emblems. Following their exodus from Uganda during the 17th century, the Lega settled on the west bank of the Lualaba River in the DRC. The role of leader, ...

French Collection of African Art Sitting on a stool, this African statue belongs to a Gwan fertility cult associated with the Djo, or Do, widespread in central Mali. Long called "Queen", this type of statue participated every seven years in ceremonies during which they were presented to childless women. The latter washed the sculptures and then anointed them with shea butter.
Ritual grainy patina, desiccation cracks. The Bambara of central and southern Mali belong to the large Mande group, like the Soninke and the Malinke. They believe in the existence of a creator god generically called Ngala who maintains the order of the universe. His existence coexists with another androgynous god called Faro, who gave all the qualities to men and who makes the fruits of the earth ...

Belgian collection.
African art lega and initiation materials.
African tribal sculpture Sakimatwematwe (Multi-heads) belonging to an initiate of Bwami, among the many others used throughout the initiations. The teacher guided the aspirant to a place where masks and statuettes were exhibited, and it was through careful observation that the future initiate had to guess the more or less complex meaning of these metaphors, the latter referring largely to proverbs. and sayings. Matte light patina, erosions.br /> Relating to a Lega proverb, with two or more heads, this statuette would always illustrate the need for a global vision of events, and therefore the prudence, wisdom and impartiality that should result from it. (Biebuyck 1973)

Ex-French collection of African art With a stocky constitution around a concave bust hollowed out with an orifice, this African statue embodying an ancestor also offers zoomorphic attributes. Locally grainy matte patina, discreet red ochre highlights.
Despite their small number, the thirty thousand Mambila (or Mambilla, Mambere, Nor, Torbi, Lagubi, Tagbo, Tongbo, Bang, Ble, Juli, Bea)(the "men" in Fulani), settled in the northwest of Cameroon, created a large number of masks and statues easily identifiable by their heart-shaped faces. Although the Mambila believe in a creator god named Chang or Nama, they only worship their ancestors. Their leaders were buried in granaries like wheat because they were supposed to symbolize prosperity. Masks and Statues were not to be seen by ...

Fetish-sculpture nkishi (pl. mankishi ) protective, featuring a central foot bringing together miniature figures of kifwebe masks. The bishimba, magic charge, was housed in the object. Velvety black patina. Slight lacks, desication cracks.

These fetishes of protection intended for homes are among the most popular in Africa. The Nkisi plays the role of mediator between gods and men. The large specimens are the collective property of an entire village, while the smaller figures belong to an individual or a family. In the 16th century, the Songyes migrated from the Shaba region to settle on the left bank of the Lualaba. Their society is organized in a patriarchal way. Their history is inseparable from that of the Luba to which they are related through common ancestors.
The ...

Stocky, carried by ample feet, this sculpted figure offers a large head similar to a helmet mask. Among neighboring Kongo clans, the naked, squatting posture, sondama, evokes emergency action, attacking enemies in a supernatural way. The Hungaan, mixed with the Mbala, also carve similar figures. The headdress bears great similarities to the mukote headdress which among the Western Pende with which the Mbalashared mukanda circumcision rituals , became a symbol of the struggle against colonization in the early 20th century
Iconic pindi carvings were attributed to chief Mbala during his enthronement. Following a retreat of a few days, the royal insignia and charms were attributed to him, intended to fight the powers opposing hunting, social peace, and harvesting.
Grainy matte ...

Referring to a moral value or dogma, or associated with a Lega proverb, this African statuette established on short legs spread apart, arms raised, offers an old abraded patina. Erosions.
The tribal art of the Lega, Balega, or Warega, is distinguished by its initiation statuettes, also made of ivory, some of which were kept in a basket intended for the highest ranking members of the Bwami of different communities. This type of tribal art statuette Iginga (Maginga in the plural), was the property of the high ranking members of the Bwami, a secret society admitting men and their wives, and governing social life. This organization was subdivided into initiatory stages, the highest being the Kindi. The statuettes were used as the aspirants were initiated. The Lega's particularity, ...

This sculpture of African art hemba commemorating a local chief, intermediary between men and gods, stands out thanks to its imposing head and the treatment of the body. Velvety grey-brown patina, erosions and cracks.

Generally made in iroko, these ritual sculptures were venerated by a particular clan and stored in rooms for funerary use in the chief's house.
The Hemba, established in the south-east of Zaire, on the right bank of the Lualaba, were for a long time subjected to the neighboring Luba empire, which had on their culture, their religion and their art a certain influence. Ancestor worship, whose effigies have long been attributed to the Luba, is central to Hemba society. Genealogy is indeed the guarantor of privileges and the distribution of land. All aspects ...

Sculpture of b>African tribal art depicting an ancestor with the facial and body scarifications of the Batabwa clans.
Satin patina of use, cracks and abrasions.
The Tabwa ("scarify" and "write") constitute an ethnic group present in the South-East of the DRC, around Lake Tanganyika. The tribes of this region, such as the Tumbwe, worship the mipasi ancestors through sculptures held by chiefs or sorcerers. A magical charge (dawa) was frequently placed on top of the statues' heads. Soothsayers-healers used this type of object to reveal witchcraft and protect against malevolent spirits. Simple farmers without centralized power, the Tabwa federated around tribal chiefs after coming under the influence of the Luba. Animists, their beliefs are anchored around the ngulu, spirits of ...

Ex-German tribal art collection.
The stylized African art of the forest tribes
Cubic volumes and sharp features make up a certain dynamic for this primitive metoko statue, whose characteristics are similar to Thengola sculptures. A face cut in flat, with hollowed-out orbits in the heart, is divided into two tones taken from the spots painted on the character's body, reminiscent of the bichrome of Gabon's masks. The feet sink into a circular base. Cracks. This male cult effigy is from the Metoko and Lengola, located in the center of the Congolese basin between the Lomami and Lualaba rivers, peoples of the primary forest dedicated to the worship of a single God, rare monotheism in Africa. Their company, Bukota, welcoming both men and women, is the equivalent of the association ...

Ex. French collection of African art . The Chamba statuary has some points in common with that of the Mumuye. The body is inclined, the flattened bust surmounting thick legs, the subject offers a face with minimalist features framed by large ears.
Old black oiled patina. Cracks and abrasions.
Settled since the 17th century on the south bank of the Benue in Nigeria, the Chamba have resisted the attempts of conquest by the Fulani, nomads who settled in large numbers in the north of Nigeria. They are known for their famous buffalo mask with its two flat jaws extending the head. The statuary, less frequent, is divided into protective figures (tauwa, sing. tau) which are kept in a hut located to the left of the entrance to the concession, and into statues of ancestors, kona.

Rare sculpted figure of a woman with a very elaborate braided hairstyle, presenting what appears to be a mask. This type of sculpture could be associated with rituals of succession or enthronement of the leader. Black matte patina. Cracks and missing.
Coming from Angola, the Pindi scattered along the banks of the Kwango River in the Democratic Republic of Congo, among the Suku, Pende, and Mbuun. Their traditional sculpture has many similarities with those of neighboring groups, whose beliefs they also share, such as ancestor worship. Among their statuary, they have figures with raised arms, "kiluba", whose function is to protect the village or the clan, a diversity of prestigious objects, sculpted panels.

Sculpted work of Ndop type illustrating African art Kuba. Of divine origin for his subjects, the king is represented seated cross-legged. Both head of the kingdom and the bushoong chiefdom, "nyim", supernatural abilities from witchcraft or ancestors were attributed to him. He therefore ensured the sustainability of his subjects, whether through harvests, rain or the birth of children. These magical attributes were not hereditary, however. The sculpture has been fitted with cavities for a ritual purpose.
Satin mahogany patina. Cracks.
During the last days of the king's life, the memorial statue was placed at his bedside so that it would capture its vital energy because the object would survive him. According to Cornet (1982), these statues were intended for the widows of the ...

Represented seated side by side, these sculpted subjects are associated with the Lemba cult, a religious association seeking family harmony among various objectives. Shiny black patina, grainy residues of light shade. Desication cracks (base).
Established near the Woyo on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean between the former Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo) and the Republic of Congo, the Kakongo carved works related to proverbs. Their statues were frequently equipped with magical charges such as the nkisi fetishes of the Kongo of the northwest. They additionally produced female figures and maternity wards. The Vili, the Lâri, the Sûndi, the Woyo, the Bembe, the Bwende, the Yombé and the Kôngo formed the Kôngo group, led by King Ntotela. With the same beliefs and traditions, they ...

Referring to a moral value or a dogma, or even associated with a proverb, this African sculpture adopts a determined posture, hands on hips. Semi-satin speckled patina, abrasions.
The tribal art of the Lega, Balega, or even Warega, is distinguished by its initiation statuettes, also made from ivory, some of which were kept in a basket intended for the highest ranking members of the Bwami from different communities. This type of tribal art statuetteIginga (Maginga in the plural), was the property of the high-ranking officers of the Bwami, a secret society admitting men and their wives, and governing social life. This organization was subdivided into initiatory stages, the highest being the Kindi. The statuettes were used as the aspirants were initiated. The particularity of the ...

Ex. Belgian collection of African art .
African statue embodying an ancestor, as evidenced by the keloid body tattoos testifying to the different stages of its initiation. Smooth two-tone patina.
The Béembé, established on the plateaus of the People's Republic of Congo (formerly Brazzaville), are to be distinguished from the Bembé group north of Lake Tanganinyika. Influenced by Téké rites and culture, but especially by that of the Kongo, the Béembé originally formed the kingdom of Kongo, with the Vili, Yombé, Bwendé and Woyo. Under the tutelage of King Ntotela, elected by the governors, they drew their main resources from the trade in ivory, copper and slaves.
The head of the village, called nga-bula, had the mission of interceding with the ancestors. Hunting ...

Represented in a posture associated with fertility and royalty, this African sculpture indicates that the secrets of royalty, bizila belong to women thanks to their role as political intermediaries and spiritual. The hairstyle was made of braids and copper wires. The so-called "ear-shaped" scarifications, "tactile mnemonic code", are recurrent. This type of figure was also used in the context of fertility rituals: young women lacking breast milk came to touch the chest of the statue in the hope of breastfeeding more abundantly.

Filmy patina, desication cracks.
The Luba (Baluba in Chiluba) are a people of Central Africa. Their cradle is Katanga, more precisely the region of the Lubu River, thus the name (Baluba, which means “the Lubas”). The Luba have two main types ...

Ex-collection of Belgian African art.

Used in the rituals associated with the cult buanga bua bukalenge , this male figure representing an ancestor bears abundant facial and body scarification, a common practice in late 19th century Central Africa. These marks were signs of beauty with symbolic value, revealing extraordinary physical and moral qualities. The concentric circles suggest not only great stars, but also hope. " These statues of warriors, whose right-angled arms would be associated with vigor, participated in the investiture and funeral of chiefs. Scaled granular patina. Cracks of desiccation.
Lulua Lulua is a generic term, referring to the large number of heterogeneous peoples that populate the region near the Lulua River, between the Kasai and Sankuru ...