Such figures symbolise for the Chokwe the power and fertility of female ancestors. They are set up in shrines and play a large role during the initiation of young girls. The present, standing, female ancestor figure exhibits the perfect Chokwe style. Especially the design of the head is comparable with the popular and known ‘Mwana pwo’ masks of the Chokwe people. The figure is carved from hard wood and coloured blackish-brown. A finely lined triple crested coiffure surmounts the head. On her forehead she displays the typical tribal mark of the Chokwe people, called ‘Cingelyengelye’ (a type of ‘Maltese cross’). She has additional scarification marks on both temples, on the cheeks and on her breasts. The eyebrow arches are also typically high-arched and broad, the eyes are slit and her ears, too, show a characteristic, round Chokwe form. The arms are carved free from the body and both hands rest on her abdomen, near the circular accentuated navel. The legs and feet stand, slightly bent, firmly on the ground. As jewellery the ‘ancestor’ displays a tight, knotted necklace and a belt of old, textile material. Overall a stylistically very good small sculpture, with minimal, age-related damage: some small pieces broken off at the edges of the hairstyle and at the left foot at the bottom, minor cracks on the right hand and along the notched spine, as well as some pieces broken off at both legs (earlier insect damage?). Yet a good, partially shiny, old patina.
Height: c. 27 cm.
First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Austrian private collection.

Lit.:
‘La Sculpture Tshokwe’ by Marie-Louise Bastin, ill. 64, 65, 103; ‘Chokwe!’ by Manuel Jordan, ill. 61 (head), 106, 110, 111, 112, 113; ‘Chokwe and their Bantu Neighbours’ by Jean David and Gerhard Merzeder, ill. 114, 116, 117.