Luba ancestor figure - DR Congo
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 220 - € 250
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Description from the seller
Origin. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tribe name. Baluba
Material. wood, beads, calabash
Dimension. 48 cm
Shipping method. Colissimo within 24-48h, open.
This piece is a ritual artwork from the Luba people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a carved figure atop a calabash base (gourd), often identified in anthropological contexts as an object of power or a divinatory instrument, sometimes called Kabwelulu.
The carved figure: The upper part features a carved wooden female figure. It bears the classic stylistic features of Luba art: a heart-shaped face, eyes like coffee beans, a triangular nose, and an elaborate hairstyle. The position of her hands, usually directed toward the chest, underlines the importance of motherhood and lineage.
The base: The lower part is a spherical calabash, often covered with a dark patina or a sacrificial crust (resulting from repeated ritual anointings with vegetal or animal substances). This base served as a container for secret or medicinal ingredients ("bwanga"), believed to activate the object.
Ornamentation: The presence of colored glass beads around the neck and waist is characteristic of Luba aesthetics, adding a dimension of preciousness and social status to the object.
This type of object was not merely an ornament, but an active instrument within Luba society:
Divinatory and therapeutic role: Such objects were used by diviners or members of secret societies (such as the Bugobo society) for healing, conflict resolution, or protection against evil spirits.
The feminine power: In Luba cosmology, the woman is considered the ultimate receptacle of spiritual power and the guarantor of the royal lineage. The representation of a female figure at the top of the object confers ancestral authority. The female body is the channel through which esoteric knowledge and protection are transmitted.
Power object (Bwanga): By filling the gourde with specific substances, the possessor of the object sought to “bind” or concentrate spiritual forces to achieve a precise result. The patina on the base often testifies to a long ritual life, during which the object was nourished and invoked.
These works illustrate the sophistication of Luba thought, where art, spirituality and social function are inextricably linked to maintain balance within the community.
Origin. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tribe name. Baluba
Material. wood, beads, calabash
Dimension. 48 cm
Shipping method. Colissimo within 24-48h, open.
This piece is a ritual artwork from the Luba people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a carved figure atop a calabash base (gourd), often identified in anthropological contexts as an object of power or a divinatory instrument, sometimes called Kabwelulu.
The carved figure: The upper part features a carved wooden female figure. It bears the classic stylistic features of Luba art: a heart-shaped face, eyes like coffee beans, a triangular nose, and an elaborate hairstyle. The position of her hands, usually directed toward the chest, underlines the importance of motherhood and lineage.
The base: The lower part is a spherical calabash, often covered with a dark patina or a sacrificial crust (resulting from repeated ritual anointings with vegetal or animal substances). This base served as a container for secret or medicinal ingredients ("bwanga"), believed to activate the object.
Ornamentation: The presence of colored glass beads around the neck and waist is characteristic of Luba aesthetics, adding a dimension of preciousness and social status to the object.
This type of object was not merely an ornament, but an active instrument within Luba society:
Divinatory and therapeutic role: Such objects were used by diviners or members of secret societies (such as the Bugobo society) for healing, conflict resolution, or protection against evil spirits.
The feminine power: In Luba cosmology, the woman is considered the ultimate receptacle of spiritual power and the guarantor of the royal lineage. The representation of a female figure at the top of the object confers ancestral authority. The female body is the channel through which esoteric knowledge and protection are transmitted.
Power object (Bwanga): By filling the gourde with specific substances, the possessor of the object sought to “bind” or concentrate spiritual forces to achieve a precise result. The patina on the base often testifies to a long ritual life, during which the object was nourished and invoked.
These works illustrate the sophistication of Luba thought, where art, spirituality and social function are inextricably linked to maintain balance within the community.
Details
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Luba ancestor figure
Height
48 cm
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