Male Hemba Ancestral Figure from DRC

This tall wooden piece is from the Hemba Peoples of the Congo and is referred to as a Singiti figure. It is a male carving standing with bare feet and legs slightly apart on a round wooden base. His torso and arms are thin, and the arms are curved at the sides with fingered hands on a protruding swollen abdomen. Below the high neck is a unique carving resembling a bow tie - its meaning is not completely understood.

The figure's head is a wide oval with a point on the top and the bottom and the brows are highly arched over closed half-circle eyes. He has a beard, his nose is slender with a triangular point, and his mouth is small. The top of the head has a wide band of geometric designs and the back part has an open curve with a horizontal brace with geometric motifs. This extension on the back of the head is a hair style.

Among the Hemba people, ancestor effigies are called Singiti. In ancestor rites, the sculptures were the focus of invocations recalling heroic deeds of the ancestor. The coiffure signifies the direction and crossroads where spirits gather. The swelling of the stomach or abdomen has association with lineage continuity, but in general, such figures embody intelligence, strength, energy and fertility. The figures were kept in a shrine where it linked the present ruler with his predecessor.

This piece is fixed to a square black wooden base and would be perfect for a range of décor styles from Mid-Century Modern, 1970s Revival, Contemporary or Eclectic.   

Place of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Date of Manufacture: 1950s-1970s

Condition: Excellent  

Wear: There are cracks and gouges in the wood and the right ear is missing - consistent with the piece's age. Please refer to the pictures. 

Dimensions: 22.25 in. H X 6.25 in. W X 7 in. D / Base: 7.25 in. L X 7.25 in. W X 1.25 in. H