Royal statuette - Mangbetu - Mangbetu - DR Congo (No reserve price)

The Mangbetu statuette from the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is particularly famous for its anthropomorphic statuettes, which stand out for their remarkable elegance and finesse.
Here are some emblematic features of these statuettes:
Skull elongation (Lipombo): This is the most recognizable trait. The Mangbetu once practiced artificial skull deformation on infants, a sign of high social status and beauty. The figurines faithfully reproduce this receding forehead and the elongated skull towards the back.
The complex hairstyle: heads are often topped with a fan or basket hairstyle, imitating the sophisticated hair arrangements of Mangbetu women from the royal court.
Scarifications: The body and face often display engraved geometric patterns, representing ritual and aesthetic scarifications.
Long arms: The limbs, especially the arms, are often depicted as slender and elongated, emphasizing the verticality of the sculpture.
These objects were generally intended for the elite and served to glorify the royal lineage or to be offered as prestige gifts.