The Zande, also known as Azande, in outer northeastern Congo, know two very different types in their figural sculpture: on the one hand, such larger-scale, mostly two-coloured ancestor figures (as the present one); on the other hand, the small, highly abstract and black ‘Yanda figures’ of the Mani secret society. See also cat. no. 92. The present sculpture is a typical, old, male ancestor figure of the Zande people: made of light-coloured, hard wood, with an elongated oblong face, accentuated large eyes and a friendly smiling mouth. The man wears a round hat on his head, with an emblem of three concentric circles at the front. The body, beneath the sturdy neck, is considerably simplified and stylised: shoulders, arms and hands create a circle which is completed at the hips. Pelvis, posterior and genitals are represented together in a wide, rounded form. The short legs and relatively large feet stand firmly with legs spread on the floor. Face, neck, torso and legs were originally coloured in white, the cap, hairstyle, eyes, shoulders, hands, pelvis and feet are black. Overall a perfect, figural sculpture, conforming completely to the traditional style and canon of male ancestor figures of the Zande. With good, old usage patina, as well as ‘soft’ and shiny worn edges. Only minor, age-related damage: colour scuffing, small cracks in the pelvis area, as well as minor, insignificant breaks (on the cap above, on the right ear, and on the feet below). H: 53 cm. First third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: French Private Collection.

Lit.: 'The Tribal Arts of Africa' by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, p. 141, fig. 11; 'Die Kunst des Schwarzen Afrika' by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, fig. 652.