Statuette - Bena Lulua - DR Congo

Kneeling figure Bena Lulua – Democratic Republic of the Congo

A figure of meditation and restraint, emblematic of ancient Lulua statuary, where the posture becomes language.

This anthropomorphic sculpture attributed to the Bena Lulua is distinguished by an instantly recognizable posture: the figure is crouched, arms folded forward, in an attitude of inner concentration and restraint. This position, well documented in Lulua statuary, is frequently associated with figures of contemplation, wisdom, or mediation, sometimes interpreted as ancestors or individuals invested with moral authority.

The body treatment is deliberately compact and squat, reinforcing the impression of contained tension. The head, slightly oversized, concentrates the expression: bulging and dark-ringed eyes, heavy eyelids, a fine, closed mouth. The face, deeply sculpted, conveys an introspective intensity typical of the older works in this corpus. We also find stylized facial scarifications, identity and aesthetic markers recurring among the Lulua.

The dark and glossy patina, thick in places, testifies to long ritual handling and prolonged use. The entire piece radiates a quiet, almost meditational strength, characteristic of high-quality Lulua sculptures, often sought for their balance between expressiveness and formal sobriety.

With its controlled style, codified posture, and restrained expressiveness, this character sits squarely within the early productions from the central DRC, probably from the first half of the 20th century, or even earlier, and it perfectly embodies the Lulua aesthetic in its most authentic and introspective form.

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