Ancestor figure - Songye - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Songye ancestor figure (No reserve price)

Carved wooden anthropomorphic figure attributed to the Songye culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The sculpture depicts a standing male figure with bent legs, arms folded on either side of a prominent abdomen. The head, topped with a smooth, elongated skull, features a stylized face characteristic of the Songye aesthetic: almond-shaped half-closed eyes, a prominent triangular nose, and a rectangular mouth slightly open. The elongated neck is adorned with a string of red beads (probably added later).

The piece is distinguished by a balanced and harmonious sculpture, with rounded volumes and a deep dark brown patina resulting from prolonged handling and ancient use. The surfaces show wear consistent with age: slight chips, micro-fissures, and areas polished by time, with no visible restorations.

This type of figure is typical of Songye art, renowned for the expressive power of its sculptures and the sobriety of its formal language.