Statue - Kela - DR Congo (No reserve price)
Opens Friday
Starting bid
€ 1
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Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier
With almost a decade of experience bridging science, museum curation, and traditional blacksmithing, Julien has developed a unique expertise in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 230 - € 280
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Description from the seller
Plump statue – Kela – Democratic Republic of the Congo
A characterful sculpture, rare and intensely expressive.
Property of a seasoned Belgian collector, amassed over many years of collecting.
This kela statue stands out for its generous volume and its immediate sculptural presence. The figure, stocky and powerfully planted on its short legs, exudes a quiet strength and direct expressiveness. The arms folded against the chest, the compact posture and the balance of masses give the whole a sense of stability and inner concentration, typical of the kela aesthetic.
The face, treated in a geometric and deliberately simplified way, features a long, protruding nose, circular eyes that are deeply sunken, and a discreet mouth, reinforcing the sculpture’s archaic and timeless character. The ancient patina, dark and with shiny patches in places, reveals long use and testifies to the work’s authenticity. The traces of wear, far from diminishing the piece, enhance its evocative power. A rare sculpture with a strong formal identity, ideal for a collector who appreciates powerful and uncompromising works.
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.
Shipping insured within 24 hours, with careful packaging, insurance, and tracking.
Contact 7 days a week: we remain available for any questions or requests for additional information.
Plump statue – Kela – Democratic Republic of the Congo
A characterful sculpture, rare and intensely expressive.
Property of a seasoned Belgian collector, amassed over many years of collecting.
This kela statue stands out for its generous volume and its immediate sculptural presence. The figure, stocky and powerfully planted on its short legs, exudes a quiet strength and direct expressiveness. The arms folded against the chest, the compact posture and the balance of masses give the whole a sense of stability and inner concentration, typical of the kela aesthetic.
The face, treated in a geometric and deliberately simplified way, features a long, protruding nose, circular eyes that are deeply sunken, and a discreet mouth, reinforcing the sculpture’s archaic and timeless character. The ancient patina, dark and with shiny patches in places, reveals long use and testifies to the work’s authenticity. The traces of wear, far from diminishing the piece, enhance its evocative power. A rare sculpture with a strong formal identity, ideal for a collector who appreciates powerful and uncompromising works.
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.
Shipping insured within 24 hours, with careful packaging, insurance, and tracking.
Contact 7 days a week: we remain available for any questions or requests for additional information.
Details
Indigenous object name
Statue
Ethnic group/ culture
Kela
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Mid 20th century
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
32 cm
Width
1 cm
Depth
1 cm
Weight
1 g
Provenance
Private collection
Sold by
