Statuette Mipasi - Tabwa - DR Congo

The Mipasi statuettes of the Tabwa, originating from the Great Lakes region of Africa, notably the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, hold a central place in ritual and social practices. Carefully carved from hardwood, these figurines are characterized by stylized features, elongated bodies, and serene facial expressions, often adorned with scarifications or elaborate hairstyles. Their sober and balanced aesthetics reflect the importance given to dignity and wisdom.
Mipasi statuettes typically embody ancestors or protective spirits. They are used as mediators between the living and the spiritual world, playing a key role in healing, protection, or the legitimization of power rituals. Placed on altars or handled by initiates, they symbolize intergenerational continuity and reinforce the authority of leaders or healers.
Tabwa art, through these statuettes, reveals a quest for harmony between the visible and the invisible. Today, these works, valued for their elegance and symbolic depth, testify to the cultural richness of the Tabwa and their attachment to ancestral traditions.

Presentation of our house of expertise

Based in Belgium, our house of expertise and sale specializes in African art and ethnography. A reference seller on Catawiki for over 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a history of several hundred sales with an almost 100% customer satisfaction rate.

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

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

Shipping guaranteed 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.