neck support - Bembe - DR Congo
06
days
11
hours
48
minutes
32
seconds
Current bid
€ 2
Reserve price not met
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 € 150 - € 200
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Appuie-nuque ritual headrest of the Bembe people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, provenance Private collection, height 9 cm, width 1 cm, depth 1 cm, weight 1 g, in good condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Ritual Headrest – Bembe – Democratic Republic of the Congo
Very rare and unusual headrest attributed to the Bembe stylistic corpus, originating from the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This object stands out for a sculptural construction that is particularly bold, resting on a play of powerful and perfectly balanced geometric volumes.
The structure is articulated around two oblique uprights forming an almost abstract architecture, supporting a slightly curved upper surface intended to accommodate the head. In the center, a carved face appears suspended, giving the whole a presence that is both human and symbolic. The eyes inlaid with red glass paste beads intensify the gaze and reinforce the spiritual dimension of the object.
The patina is deep, dense and very marked, the result of prolonged use and repeated contact with skin, body oils and the ritual environment. This ancient surface, dark and glossy in places, bears witness to the piece’s authenticity and age.
Among the Bembe, headrests were not merely utilitarian objects. They contributed to the preservation of the hairstyle, but also to a symbolic dimension tied to sleep, dreams and the circulation of vital forces. The presence of the face suggests a protective or ancestral role, establishing a link between the sleeper and the invisible world.
An exceptional object in its type, its rarity and its radical aesthetics, powerfully illustrating the formal ingenuity and symbolic depth of Bembe art.
Presentation of our expertise house
Based in Belgium, our expert and sales house specializes in African and ethnographic art. A reference seller on Catawiki for more than 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with an almost 100% 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 reserve prices.
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.
Ritual Headrest – Bembe – Democratic Republic of the Congo
Very rare and unusual headrest attributed to the Bembe stylistic corpus, originating from the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This object stands out for a sculptural construction that is particularly bold, resting on a play of powerful and perfectly balanced geometric volumes.
The structure is articulated around two oblique uprights forming an almost abstract architecture, supporting a slightly curved upper surface intended to accommodate the head. In the center, a carved face appears suspended, giving the whole a presence that is both human and symbolic. The eyes inlaid with red glass paste beads intensify the gaze and reinforce the spiritual dimension of the object.
The patina is deep, dense and very marked, the result of prolonged use and repeated contact with skin, body oils and the ritual environment. This ancient surface, dark and glossy in places, bears witness to the piece’s authenticity and age.
Among the Bembe, headrests were not merely utilitarian objects. They contributed to the preservation of the hairstyle, but also to a symbolic dimension tied to sleep, dreams and the circulation of vital forces. The presence of the face suggests a protective or ancestral role, establishing a link between the sleeper and the invisible world.
An exceptional object in its type, its rarity and its radical aesthetics, powerfully illustrating the formal ingenuity and symbolic depth of Bembe art.
Presentation of our expertise house
Based in Belgium, our expert and sales house specializes in African and ethnographic art. A reference seller on Catawiki for more than 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with an almost 100% 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 reserve prices.
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.
Details
Indigenous object name
neck support
Ethnic group/ culture
Bembe
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Height
9 cm
Width
1 cm
Depth
1 cm
Weight
1 g
Provenance
Private collection
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