Statuette - Bakongo - DR Congo

Statuette – Bakongo – Democratic Republic of the Congo

A canonical stance of the Bakongo universe, between formal restraint and symbolic power.

This Bakongo statuette presents a frontal and stable stance, immediately recognizable within the corpus of ritual and fetish figures of this cultural area. The figure stands upright, legs slightly bent, arms drawn back toward the body, in a position that is at once restrained and deliberate, typical of sculptures connected to spiritual and protective practices.

Stylistic and Symbolic Reading

The posture of the body, highly codified, is well documented in the Bakongo nkisi:

assertive frontal stance,

volumes collected,

a slightly oversized head, emphasizing the seat of the mind and intention,

a more sober, more concentrated expression, without unnecessary emphasis.

This type of statuette is not decorative in the Western sense: it is a conduit for forces, designed to act. The sobriety of the sculpture precisely reinforces its symbolic weight. The surfaces bear an ancient, dense, and irregular patina, testifying to prolonged use and repeated handling, possibly accompanied by ritual substances now vanished.

Dating and appraisal

In its style, this piece belongs to an early and coherent production, predating the standardized late forms. It reflects a functional and spiritual approach to Bakongo sculpture, where symbolic efficacy takes precedence over ornamentation.

It is precisely this kind of object — readable, classic, yet deeply inhabited — that discerning enthusiasts seek: works that speak plainly, without artifice, and that are fully anchored in their tradition.

Introduction to our expertise firm

Based in Belgium, our appraisal and sales house specializes in African and ethnographic art. A leading seller on Catawiki for over 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with a customer satisfaction rate close to 100%.

We regularly assist with liquidations, estates, and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is designed to be rigorous, transparent and accessible, with sales often offered without a reserve price.

Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.

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