A very old, standing male figure of the Luba-Hemba, from south-east Congo. Carved from hard wood and originally dyed black. With the typical hairstyle of the Luba-Hemba, protruding towards the back with cross-shaped termination at the rear. The serious, dignified face has broadly splaying eyebrow arches, slit eyes, a broad, closed mouth, and is framed by a beard. Both arms of the standing man are carved free from the body and the hands rest on the abdomen. He stands on straight, firm legs on a plinth which is heavily eroded due to age.
Figures such as the present one are called ‘singiti’ by the Luba-Hemba, and represent important chiefs, clan founders and influential ancestors of their community. They belong to the chief of a Hemba village and are preserved in his house or in a special shrine. Through the possession of this ‘singiti figure’, the chief legitimises his claim to power.
A typical, very fine piece, with shiny patina, some colour scuffing to the edges and exposed places due to age, as well as with heavy weathering to the plinth, which underscores the old age of this Luba-Hemba figure.
Height: 38 cm. Between the 19th century and the first third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Private Collection of Prof. Dr. Rudolf Leopold, Vienna.

Lit.: ‘Die Kunst des schwarzen Afrika’ by Kerchache, Paudrat, Stephan, ill. 674, 675, 676, 678, 679; ‘The Tribal Arts of Africa’ by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, cover photo and p. 161, ill. 5, 6, 8, 9.