African Arts Gallery

In northwestern Zaire, south of the Ubangi River,live the 6000 Moswea-Ngombe of Bantu language. Their neighbors are the Ngbandi and the Ngbaka and various banda groups. They knew no god but expected favors from their ancestors, among them health and prosperity. Their throwing knives used for hunting were used as currency. This sickle knife, comparable to those of the Mangbetu, has a handle sheathed in copper wire and a blade with a reddish oxidized patina. In Africa, before the colonial period, payments were never made in coins; transactions were made using cowries, beads, cattle, kola nuts, but also metals, especially iron. These primitive currencies were used for commercial and social exchanges, particularly for dowries, but they could also be used as parade objects or throwing ...

Ex Belgian African art collection.
.This African mask shares with the Ngbaka and Ngbandi sculptures a scarification of the forehead extending to the nasal bridge, the particularity of the Ngombe remaining however keloids in the shape of a "v". A quadrangular mouth is encrusted with teeth, reinforcing the aggressive character of the physiognomy. These masks come out during the rites of circumcision. Matt patina.
In northwestern Zaire, south of Oubangui, on the banks of the Lualaba river, live the 120,000 Bantu-speaking Ngombe people, led by a chief and a warrior society. Their neighbors are the Ngbandi and the Ngbaka, whose statuary has influenced their tribal sculpture, and different Banda groups. Their masks of geometric appearance intervene during the rites of the mani ...

This amazing abstract figure with a geometric face on which are engraved the features presents a tubular bust on truncated lower limbs. A cylindrical cavity appears to be the genitals. Dark brown matte patina. Abrasions and cracks. Indigenous restoration on the posterior foot (resin).
The artistic production of Ngombe, relatively limited, was marked by the influence of neighbouring groups, Ngbandi and Ngbaka. These sculptures, most of them magical fetishes, were used by the soothsayer bendo to encourage hunting. The Ngombe emigrated from Lake Victoria to East Africa. After scattering, some of them settled among the Ngala on the banks of the Zaire River.

The handle of this rudimentary, ancient weapon is wrapped in braided vegetable fiber cords.
In northwestern Zaire, south of Oubangui, live the 6000 Moswea-Ngombe of Bantu language. Their neighbours are the Ngbandi and the Ngbaka and various groups banda . The Ngombe emigrated from Lake Victoria to East Africa. After they dispersed, some of them settled among the Ngala on the banks of the Zaire River.They knew no god but expected favors from their ancestors, including health and prosperity. Their jet knives used for hunting were used as coins. The artistic production of the Ngombe, relatively limited, was marked by the influence of neighbouring groups, Ngbandi and Ngbaka . The sculptures, most of them magical fetishes, were used by the soothsayer bendo to encourage hunting.

The artistic production of the Ngombe, relatively limited, was marked by the influence of neighbouring groups, Ngbandi and Ngbaka . These sculptures, most of them magical fetishes, were used by the soothsayer bendo to encourage hunting. The Ngombe emigrated from Lake Victoria to East Africa. After scattering, some of them settled among the Ngala on the banks of the Zaire River.This abstract figure where the head bears large bleached cavities indicating eyes, presents an open structure in which a cylindrical cavity would form the abdomen, supported by an arc composing the legs. The whole thing rises from a rounded base.
as satin dark brownpatine. Light abrasions.

Ex French African art collection.
This ancient African mask shares a streaked nasal ridge with the sculpture Ngbaka and that of the Ngbandi. It extends here on the forehead of a scarification in the ear. The large orbits surrounded by a rib appear to be washed of any kaolin residue, some of which remain set deep in the smooth surface of the wood. Haloes show washes or contact with moisture. Metal shows the teeth in the quadrangular mouth. Damaged lower edges. In the north-west of Zaire, south of Oubangui, on the banks of the Lualaba, live the 120,000 Ngombe , led by a leader and a war like elombe. Their neighbors are the Ngbandi and the Ngbaka whose statuary has influenced their tribal sculpture, and various groups banda. Their masks of geometric appearance intervene during the ...