Hemba Statue

Democratic Republic of Congo

A standing male figure of compact, frontal authority, Hemba.

Description

The figure is composed in a contained, inwardly held structure, volumes gathered tightly around a central vertical axis. The body remains compact, with no extension beyond its own mass.

The head is proportionally large and set upon a ringed cylindrical neck. The face is oval and controlled: half-closed eyes beneath defined lids, a straight descending nose, and a slightly parted mouth. A continuous band of geometric scarification frames the jawline, enclosing the face within a clearly defined perimeter.

At the rear, the coiffure is resolved as a flattened disc, incised with ordered geometric registers. This element extends the head backward while maintaining the overall balance of the composition.

The torso is full and rounded, with a pronounced forward-projecting abdomen. Arms are drawn close to the body, the hands placed symmetrically at the lower abdomen, fixing the compositional centre. Fingers are individually indicated yet remain integrated within the larger form.

The legs are short and solid, positioned directly beneath the mass of the body. Broad feet with defined toes rest on a circular base, anchoring the figure and reinforcing its stability.

A textile wrap remains at the waist, introducing a secondary material element that contrasts with the carved surface while remaining subordinate to the structure.

Surface is dark and compact, with a developed patina. Wear is visible at projecting points, consistent with age and handling.

Context

Hemba figures are associated with ancestral representation, where emphasis is placed on composure, balance, and continuity.

Form is directed inward. Volume is contained rather than extended. The figure operates through stillness and structural clarity, prioritising presence over movement.

Examples retaining both defined carving and stable surface at this level remain uncommon.

Provenance

From the Felice Maffei Collection

Acquired in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 1985

Available on private enquiry.