Statuette of Mani - Zande - DR Congo
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Starting bid
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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 € 250 - € 300
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Description from the seller
Statuette of the Mani – Zande – Democratic Republic of the Congo
A powerful cubic form, with a radical and timeless aesthetic.
Property of a seasoned Belgian collector, amassed over many years of collecting.
This Mani statuette of the Zande people stands out for its deliberately cubist construction, almost architectural, which gives it an immediate visual impact. The body is carved into massive, angular volumes: stocky legs, broad base, compact torso, creating a stable silhouette that is intensely rooted. This deliberate geometrization places the sculpture at the boundary between ritual art and modern abstraction, reminding us how African forms fed the avant-garde of the 20th century.
The face, sober and focused, is dominated by a powerful nose and deliberately simplified features, reinforcing the expression of authority and restraint. The seated, compact posture suggests mastery, reflection, and the spiritual presence associated with figures of power or mediation. The ancient patina, dark and glossy in places, bears witness to prolonged ritual use and indisputable authenticity. A rare work, with a strong formal language, ideal for a collector sensitive to structured and radical pieces.
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.
Statuette of the Mani – Zande – Democratic Republic of the Congo
A powerful cubic form, with a radical and timeless aesthetic.
Property of a seasoned Belgian collector, amassed over many years of collecting.
This Mani statuette of the Zande people stands out for its deliberately cubist construction, almost architectural, which gives it an immediate visual impact. The body is carved into massive, angular volumes: stocky legs, broad base, compact torso, creating a stable silhouette that is intensely rooted. This deliberate geometrization places the sculpture at the boundary between ritual art and modern abstraction, reminding us how African forms fed the avant-garde of the 20th century.
The face, sober and focused, is dominated by a powerful nose and deliberately simplified features, reinforcing the expression of authority and restraint. The seated, compact posture suggests mastery, reflection, and the spiritual presence associated with figures of power or mediation. The ancient patina, dark and glossy in places, bears witness to prolonged ritual use and indisputable authenticity. A rare work, with a strong formal language, ideal for a collector sensitive to structured and radical pieces.
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
Statuette of Mani
Ethnic group/ culture
Zande
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Mid 20th century
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Height
18 cm
Width
1 cm
Depth
1 cm
Weight
1 g
Provenance
Private collection
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