African Arts Gallery

This tablet is surmounted by three heads embodying ancestors communicating with tutelary spirits, "mvidye", intermediaries between the spiritual world and individuals, who can also embody nature spirits among the Luba of Kasai. The bas-relief motifs are linked to a proverb or a mnemonic code associated with the myths, origins and precepts of Luba royalty. This object allowed the followers of Mbudye to transmit during codified rituals, through stories and songs, the genealogy of the founding heroes, the history of the migrations of the clan, etc...
Velvety brown patina, cracks and erosions.
Among the Luba, the king, mulopwe, held the highest position in a complex system of command. He partially delegated his powers to local lineage chiefs or to secondary chiefs, whom he ...

This tablet with curved edges is surmounted by a head supposed to embody an ancestor communicating with the guardian spirits, 'mvidye', intermediate between the spiritual world and individuals, which can also embody the spirits of nature among the Luba of Kasai. The drawings, colours and layout of the inlays of the plateau are linked to a mnemonic proverb or code associated with the myths, origins and precepts of Luba royalty. This multi-interpretation object allowed followers of the Mbudye to transmit during codified rituals, through stories and songs, the genealogy of the founding heroes, the history of clan migrations, certain codes of the kingdom, etc. H. on pedestal: 37 cm.
Nene brown velvety matte, slightly abraded areas. Height on pedestal: 36cm
Shest the Luba, the ...

This African mask featuring a bird (probably a wild guinea fowl, a symbol of fertility) was worn in the company of a circular kifwebe mask accessorized with a voluminous raffia collar that concealed the dancer. These masks were performed during various traditions: investitures, funerals, and rites against witchcraft among the various initiatory societies. In the eastern part of the Luba region, important ceremonies are held in honor of the clan's ancestors, deceased chiefs, and the new moon. They had some zoomorphic masks associated with the kifwebe dance. They performed during the ritual ceremonies of the kazanzi society, responsible for fighting witchcraft. Offerings are then made to the nature spirits, intermediaries between the group and the ancestors. Matt patina. Desiccation ...

This African kifwebe (pl.bifwebe) mask,adorned with striations, depicting a nocturnal raptor appeared in the company of a circular kifwebe mask equipped with a voluminous raffia collar hiding the dancer. The owl symbolizes magic among the Luba.
These masks were performed during different traditions: investitures, funerals, and rites against witchcraft among the different initiatory societies. In the eastern part of the Luba region, important ceremonies are held in honor of the clan's ancestors, deceased chiefs, and the new moon. They did indeed have some zoomorphic masks associated with the kifwebe dance. They performed during the ritual ceremonies of the kazanzi society, responsible for fighting witchcraft. Offerings are then made to the spirits of nature, intermediaries ...

In the southeastern region of Katanga, around the 1960s, the Zela, long subject to the Lubas whose customs and rites they borrowed, carved animal masks, like the Lubas and the Kundas. In 1970, the kifwebe company was subjected to a transformation which was accompanied by new masks. In the Zela and Kundas groups, however, this type of mask was manifested during secular theatrical ceremonies involving tales. Matte patina with polychrome highlights. Abrasions and cracks.
Formerly subject to the Luba, then to the Lundas, the Zela have adopted a large part of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are today organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently ...

Luba African statuette figured in a frontal posture, hands resting on the shoulders. Her headdress, behind a wide band revealing a shaved forehead, is related to that worn by Luba women at the beginning of the 20th century. By her symbolic gesture she indicates that the secrets of royalty (the bizila) belong to women thanks to their role as political and spiritual intermediaries. Scarifications in relief on the abdomen, horizontal on the lower abdomen, dot his bust. Black satin patina, erosions.
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”). They were born from a secession of the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of Ilunga Kalala who killed ...

Sculpted figurine represented perched on a stool. Numerous erosions.
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”). They were born from a secession of the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of Ilunga Kalala who killed the old king Kongolo who has since been revered in the form of a python. In the 16th century they created a state, organized as a decentralized chiefdom, which stretched from the Kasai River to Lake Tanganyika. The chiefdoms cover a small territory without any real border which includes at most three villages. The Luba have mainly two types of figures: the mikisi mihasi , embodying deceased relatives or spirits, and the mikisi ...

This feminine effigy, which embodies a spiritual medium, offers a concentrated meditative physiognomy. The attitude, hands on the breasts, indicates that the secrets of royalty (the bizila ) belong to women thanks to their role of political and spiritual intermediary. Nuanced chocolate patina. Abrasions.
The Luba (Baluba in Chiluba) are a people of Central Africa. Their birthplace is Katanga, more precisely the region of the Lubu river, as well as the name (Baluba, which means "the Lubas"). They were born out of a secession from the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of Ilunga Kalala who killed the old King Kongolo since revered in the form of a python. In the 16th century they created a state, organized as a decentralized chiefdom, which stretched from the Kasai ...

French African art collection
This female bust, which embodies a spiritual medium, has a flat face bordered by a tiara and an ample concave circular headdress. Therapeutic and magical substances were placed in the cupule at the top. The attitude, hands on breasts, indicates that the secrets of royalty (the bizila) belong to women thanks to their role as political and spiritual intermediaries. Satin black patina. Lack.
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”). They were born from a secession of the Songhoy ethnic group, under the leadership of Ilunga Kalala who killed the old king Kongolo who has since been revered in the form of a ...

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 ...

Ex-collection African art Corsica.
Two figures embodying spirits encircle a cylindrical container mboko , which was usually filled with kaolin, the image of purity and the spiritual world. These vessels were used by different Luba societies, and groups of prophets, more generally by the mediums of the divination society Kilumbu, Bilumbu, or by the healers of the Buhabo society. The spirits of the ancestors were consulted individually or collectively through specialists. This type of cutting also played a role in the investiture of King Luba. Beautiful satin brown patina, cracks of desiccation.
The Lubas (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 ...

Idealized evocation of a woman or a saint, this type ofAfrican mask would have followed the arrival of white missionaries at the end of the 19th century. The face with rounded cheeks, offering vestiges of polychrome pigments, offers meticulously rendered detail. Patina of chipped use. The stable base eliminates the need for a stand.
These masks were produced during different traditions: investitures, funerals, and rites against witchcraft in different initiatory societies. In the eastern part of the Luba region, important ceremonies take place in honor of the clan's ancestors, deceased chiefs, and the new moon. Offerings are then granted to the spirits of nature, intermediaries between the group and the ancestors.
The Luba, or Baluba in Chiluba, are a people of Central ...

Idealized evocation of a woman or a saint, this type ofAfrican mask would have followed the arrival of white missionaries at the end of the 19th century. The face with rounded cheeks, offering vestiges of polychrome pigments, offers meticulously rendered detail. Patina of chipped use. The stable base eliminates the need for a stand.
These masks were produced during different traditions: investitures, funerals, and rites against witchcraft in different initiatory societies. In the eastern part of the Luba region, important ceremonies take place in honor of the clan's ancestors, deceased chiefs, and the new moon. Offerings are then granted to the spirits of nature, intermediaries between the group and the ancestors.
The Luba, or Baluba in Chiluba, are a people of Central ...

Belgian African art collection.
The African tribal art proves to us once again that any everyday object can become an artistic medium. The decorative aspect of an object is indeed never its intrinsic function. In African art, any everyday object can be transformed into a masterpiece while retaining its usefulness. The major role held by women in the political life of the kingdom is illustrated by the recurrence of the female motif in Luba art. The latter, which stood out for its prestige and quality, therefore greatly influenced the neighboring groups. This comb is surmounted by a protective effigy embodying a political and spiritual intermediary, a role played by women in Luba royalty. Her headdress, behind a wide band revealing a shaved forehead, evokes one of those worn by Luba ...

British African Art Collection.
Sacrality of sculpted seats, prestigious regalia, in primitive African art. A squatting female figure with legs wide apart (Zula style), supporting the top with a circular seat, forms the "receptacle of a deceased sovereign chief" (Luba, Roberts). The prominent scarifications converging towards the umbilicus, "center of the world" associated with the lineage, testify to notions of fertility. This stool named lupona, or kioni, kipona, kiona, depending on the sources, constitutes the meeting point of the sovereign, his people, and the protective spirits and ancestors, where past and present mingle symbolically and spiritually. It once formed the seat on which the king was enthroned. The seats were arranged on leopard skins during the investiture of the ...

Belgian African art collection
The Luba are renowned for their statuary and in particular their neckrests and stools made up of a caryatid figure. The African figures adorning this neckrest that must preserve the complex headdress of its owner refer to Luba royalty. But neckrests 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 residues. The Luba (Baluba in Chiluba) 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 killed the old king Kongolo who has since been revered in the ...

Classic composition of traditional Luba art around a cylindrical mboko container. Figures embodying spirits, sculpted in the round, are seated, arms encircling the vase which was intended for kaolin, an ingredient associated with purity and the spiritual world. These containers were used by different Luba societies, and groups of prophets, more generally by the mediums of the Kilumbu, Bilumbu divination society, or by the healers of the society. Buhabo . It was a question, individually or collectively, of consulting the spirits of the ancestors through specialists. This type of cut also played a role during the investiture of the Luba king.
Grainy satin patina, desiccation cracks and erosions.

The Lubas (Baluba in Chiluba) are a people of Central Africa. Their cradle ...

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 ...

Harmonious shapes and posture associated with fertility and royal secrets for this statuette. This attitude indicates that the secrets of royalty, bizila, belong to women thanks to their role as political and spiritual intermediaries. 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.

Oiled patina.
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 ...

Seated figure facing a mboko container with a lid, which was usually filled with kaolin, a symbol of purity and of the spiritual world. These containers were used by different Luba societies, and groups of prophets, more generally by the mediums of the Kilumbu, Bilumbu divination society, or by the healers of the society. Buhabo . It was a question, individually or collectively, of consulting the spirits of the ancestors through specialists. This type of cut also played a role during the investiture of the Luba king.
According to P. Nooter, these figures also represented the wife of the diviner, which highlights its importance in the bilumbu divination process. According to some Luba however, although a woman, she would represent the first Luba diviner, and would also be an ...

Female figure in a seated position, presenting the cup mboko, a gourd that was filled with kaolin, symbolizing purity and the spiritual world, and which the king's visitors would smear on out of respect. On the bust are inscribed in checkerboard pattern the scarifications in use. According to P. Nooter these figures represented the diviner's wife, which underlines her importance in the divination process bilumbu. Matt patina, velvety, pink ochre. Abrasions.
The Luba (Baluba in Tchiluba) are a people of 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, ...