African Arts Gallery

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.

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 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 ...