African Arts Gallery

Sacrality of the sculpted seats, prestige regalia, in primitive African art . A caryatid, a naked female figure, supports the circular plate with her arms. The statue is the "receptacle of a deceased sovereign chief" (Luba, Roberts). This stool named lupona , or kioni, kipona , kiona , according to the sources, constitutes the meeting point of the sovereign, his people, and protective spirits and ancestors, where past and present are symbolically and spiritually mingled. It was once the seat on which the king was enthroned. The seats were arranged on leopard skins when the new leader was inaugurated. It was only after being seated there that his address assumed a royal and divine character. Apart from these exceptional circumstances, the seats were not used and remained stored in ...

The Luba are renowned for their statuary and in particular their neckrests and stools made of a caryatid figure. The figures adorning this headrest, which is meant to preserve the complex headdress of its owner, refer to Luba royalty. But the neck rests were also used to support the heads of the deceased, and sometimes, according to Albert Maesen, buried in their place. Brown satin patina, light pigment residue. The Luba (Baluba in Tchiluba) are a people of Central Africa. Their cradle is Katanga, more precisely the region of the Lubu River, hence the name (Baluba, which means "the Lubas"). They were born from a secession of the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of Ilunga Kalala, who had the old king Kongolo, who has since been venerated in the form of a python, die. In the ...

The Luba are renowned for their statuary and in particular their neck-rests and stools made up of a cariatid figure. In this case it is a couple side by side. The neck supports were also used to support the heads of the deceased, and sometimes, according to Albert Maesen, buried in their place. The figures of spouses supporting the stage, with a sophisticated hairstyle, and embodying spirits, are depicted standing. Black brown patina barely satin. Base split frontally.
The Luba (Baluba in Chiluba) are a people of Central Africa. Their cradle is the Katanga, more precisely the region of the Lubu River, hence the name (Baluba, which means \

The first coins Handa , also named Lukanu, or copper crucifixes, The Katanga , or cross of Saint Andrew , appear in the 13th century in tombs throughout the Shaba region, at the same time as the cainis and p glass paste, also used as a means of payment. Although associated with funeral rituals, during the 18th and 19th centuries, they were the tax that copper-producing regions owed to the Lunda Empire, a territory covering Katanga, northern Zambia and eastern Angola. Arab merchants also used it in trade routes stretching from Kenya to eastern Angola. Hungarian ethnologist Torday found that 3 to 5 of these crucifixes ranging from 0.275 to 2 kg were needed to acquire a male slave and 5 to 10 for a woman.
They were used until the 1920s when they were used to obtain poultry, cloths, ...

Kneeling female figure , disposing of the hollowed out calabash mboko which was filled with kaolin symbolizing purity and the spiritual world, and with which the king's visitors smeared themselves out of respect. According to P.Nooter, these figures represented the diviner's wife, underscoring her importance in the process of divination bilumbu.
The healers of the habo society and the Mbudye diviners also used them.
According to some Luba however although female, it would represent the first Luba diviner, and would also be an allegory of royalty linked to the powerful Mbudye society associated with royal power. Satin patina, desiccation cracks.

The Luba(Baluba in Tchiluba) are a people of Central Africa. Their cradle is Katanga, more precisely the ...

The Luba are renowned for their statuary and in particular their neck-bearings and stools made up of a cariatidic figure. They also carved containers of different kinds. The chef's ritual objects, charms and other fetishes, were stored in this type of large cephalomorphic container with a lid. Fully hollowed out, this sculpture consists of a spherical volume depicting a head whose headdress forms the neck. A rope holds the lid on the side handles. Medium brown patina very slightly abraded. Height on a base: 54 cm.

The Luba (Baluba in Tchiluba) are a people of Central Africa. Their cradle is the Katanga, specifically the region of the Lubu River, hence the name (Baluba, which means the Lubas). They were born from a secession of the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of ...

The first Handa coins, also known as Lukanu , or copper crosses, Katanga crosses , or St. Andrew's crosses , appeared in tombs throughout the Shaba region in the 13th century, at the same time as cowrie shells and glass paste beads, which were also used as a means of payment. Although associated with funerary rituals, during the 18th and 19th centuries they were the tax owed by copper-producing areas to the Lunda empire, a territory covering Katanga, northern Zambia and eastern Angola. Arab traders also used them in trade routes from Kenya to eastern Angola. The Hungarian ethnologist Torday found that among the Tetela, 3 to 5 of these braces ranging from 0.275 to 2 kg were needed to acquire a male slave and 5 to 10 for a female. They were used until the 1920's when they were used to buy ...

Semi-spherical, engraved with large circular motifs, this African mask has similarities to the Songye masks. However, it did not have the same function. This category of rather rare African masks are named 'bifwebe'. They appeared at funerals and investitures. They performed during the ritual ceremonies of the society kazanzi , charged with fighting witchcraft. " Bifwebe (Sing.: kifwebe) would mean, according to C. Faïk-Nzuji, 'chasing death'. Worn with a voluminous raffia collar that concealed the dancer, this mask was usually danced in the company of a zoomorphic mask. In the Luba, white is synonymous with the relationship with the spiritual world, by the evocation of the moon evoked by the circular shape of the object. The edges have holes.
Patine mate.
Hightop on a ...

Figures embodying spirits, carved in the round, frame a cylindrical mboko container. This pot was for kaolin, associated with purity and the spiritual world. These vessels were used by various Luba societies, and groups of prophets, more generally by the mediums of the divination society Kilumbu , Bilumbu , or by the healers of the society Buhabo . It was, individually or collectively, to consult the spirits of the ancestors through specialists. This type of cup also played a role during the investiture of the Luba king.
Satin patina, cracks of desiccation.

The Lubas (Baluba in Tchiluba) 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"). They were born from a ...

Sacredness of carved seats, regalia of prestige, in primitive African art. A caryatid, a female figure depicted standing with arms raised, supports the rectangular aluminum-plated tray. The female figure is the "receptacle of a deceased sovereign chief"( Luba, Roberts). This tabouret named lupona, or kioni, kipona, kiona, depending on the source, constitutes the meeting point of the ruler, his people, and the protective spirits and ancestors, where past and present are symbolically and spiritually intertwined. It was once the seat on which the king was enthroned. The seats were placed on leopard skins during the investiture of the new chief. It was only after sitting on it that his speech took on a royal and divine character. Apart from these exceptional circumstances, the seats ...

Ex-collection British African tribal art.
Sacrality of the carved seats, regalia of prestige, in the primitive African art. A female figure squatting with legs widely apart (Zula style), supporting the tray of a circular seat, forms the "receptacle of a deceased sovereign chief" (Luba, Roberts). The protruding scarification marks converging towards the umbilicus, the "center of the world" associated with lineage, bear witness to notions of fertility. This stool named lupona ,or kioni ,kipona , kiona , according to the sources, is the meeting point of the sovereign, his people, and the protecting spirits and ancestors, where past and present symbolically and spiritually mingle. It once formed the foundation on which the king was enthroned. The seats were laid out on leopard skins ...

This female sculpture that embodies a spiritual medium has a concentrated meditative physiognomy and a morphology where curves alternate. The attitude, hands on breasts, indicates that the secrets of royalty ( the bizila) belong to women through their role as political and spiritual intermediaries. The prominent umbilicus evokes her role in transmitting life.
Shaded brown patina. Desiccation crack.
The Luba (Baluba in Tchiluba) 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"). They were born from a secession of the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of Ilunga Kalala, who had the old king Kongolo, who has since been venerated in the form of a python, die. In ...

The Luba are renowned for their statuary and in particular their neck rests and stools consisting of a caryatid figure and sometimes an animal motif, the antelope in this case.
In this case it is a female figure, incarnation of royalty and the spirit of the ancestors, riding the animal. The antelope horns were also used, loaded with magical ingredients, in therapeutic rites.
The horn rests were also used to support the heads of the deceased, and sometimes, according to Albert Maesen, buried in their place. Matt patina.
The Luba (Baluba in Tchiluba) are a people of Central Africa. Their cradle is Katanga, more precisely the region of the Lubu river, hence the name (Baluba, which means "the Lubas"). They were born from a secession of the Songhoy ethnic group, ...

Ex Belgian collection of African art. Some neck rests, like this one, have been waxed by their owner, others not.
The Luba are renowned for their statuary and in particular their neckrests and stools made up of a caryatid figure and sometimes an animal motif, the cephalophe as here. In this case it is a female figure, incarnation of royalty and the spirit of the ancestors, riding the animal. Antelope horns were used, loaded with magical ingredients, in therapeutic rites. Neck rests were also used to support the heads of the deceased, and sometimes, according to Albert Maesen, buried in their place. Greyish brown matte patina. The Luba (Baluba in Tchiluba) are a people of Central Africa. Their cradle is Katanga, more precisely the region of the Lubu river, hence the name ...

Rare African Statuette Nkisi, nkishi (pl. mankishi ) camped bent-legged on a rounded base, head turned sideways. The cowrie-encrusted gaze realistically figures half-closed eyes, accentuating a menacing physiognomy. This type of figure was produced for ritual purposes in the Songye-Luba border region. Oiled, lustrous patina, shaded with black browns.
These protective fetishes for homes are among the most prized in Africa. The Nkisi plays the role of mediator between gods and men. The larger examples are collectively owned by an entire village, while the smaller figures belong to an individual or a family. In the sixteenth century, the Songyes migrated from the Shaba region to settle on the left bank of the Lualaba River. Their society is organized in a patriarchal manner. ...

The eastern Lubas had some zoomorphic masks associated with kifwebe dance. They occurred during the ritual ceremonies of the society kazanzi , in charge of fighting against witchcraft. "Bifwebe" (Sing.: kifwebe) would mean, moreover, according to C. Faïk-Nzuji, "to hunt death". Worn with a voluminous raffia collar that concealed the dancer, this mask was generally danced in company of a zoomorphic mask.
Matt patina, cracks and lacks on the crest.
The Luba (Baluba in tchiluba) are a people from Central Africa. Their cradle is Katanga, more precisely the region of the Lubu river, so the name (Baluba, which means "the Lubas"). They were born from a secession of the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of Ilunga Kalala, who had the old king Kongolo, venerated since ...

A large female sculpture shows a cylindrical container mboko , which was usually filled with kaolin, an image of purity and the spiritual world. These vessels were used by various Luba societies, and groups of prophets, more generally by the mediums of the divination society Kilumbu , Bilumbu , or by the healers of the society Buhabo . It was, individually or collectively, to consult the spirits of the ancestors through specialists. This type of cup also played a role in the investiture of the Luba king.
According to P. Nooter , these figures also represented the diviner's wife, which emphasizes her importance in the process of divination bilumbu . According to some Luba, however, although a woman, she would represent the first Luba diviner, and would also be an allegory of ...

This type of African luba mask with a rounded structure has similarities with the masks of the Songye. They did not, however, serve the same function. This category of African masks are called "bifwebe. They appeared at funerals and investitures. Abraded matte patina.

This female effigy embodies a spiritual medium. She offers fine features and a concentrated meditative physiognomy. The attitude, hands on breasts, indicates that the secrets of royalty ( the bizila) belong to women through their role as political and spiritual intermediaries. The prominent umbilicus evokes her role in transmitting life. Shaded brown patina.
The Luba (Baluba in Tchiluba) 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"). They were born from a secession of the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of Ilunga Kalala, who had the old king Kongolo, who has since been venerated in the form of a python, die. In the sixteenth century they created a state, ...

ThisAfrican Luba figureis depicted in a classical pose, hands on her chest. Her headdress, behind a wide band uncovering a traditionally shaven forehead, is similar to those worn by luba women in the early 20th century. By its symbolic gesture it indicates that the secrets of royalty (the bizila) belong to women through their role as political and spiritual intermediaries. Ochre brown satin patina. Erosions.
The Luba (Baluba in Tchiluba) 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"). They were born from a secession of the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of Ilunga Kalala, who had the old king Kongolo, who has since been venerated in the form of a python, die. In ...

The Luba consider the degree of effectiveness of their carved objects according to their refinement. Among the Lubas of Kasai, the production of ritual objects has been greatly influenced by the neighboring Songye and Chokwe ethnic groups. This statuette bears particular scarifications, in checkerboard pattern, and a hairstyle reminiscent of that of the Punus. Black satin patina. Small erosion and minimal cracks.
The Luba (Baluba in Tchiluba) 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"). They were born from a secession of the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of Ilunga Kalala, who had the old king Kongolo, who has since been venerated in the form of a python, die. ...