neck support - Hemba / Luba - DR Congo

06
days
23
hours
11
minutes
28
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Julien Gauthier
Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier

A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.

Estimate  € 280 - € 330
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Description from the seller

DR Congo
Hemba / Luba
Wood
Height: 150 mm
Width: 180 mm
Length: 90 mm

African neck rest from the Hemba/Luba people of DR Congo depicting a person of high rank, probably a queen. Numerous scarifications over the entire body.

Beautiful patina from use. Old holes in the original base from xylophagous insects.

The Luba and Hemba peoples are renowned for their highly refined wooden sculptures.

Practical use: sleeping without damaging the hairstyle
The neck rest served as support for the head during sleep:
- the nape rested on the small support
- this prevented crushing elaborate hairstyles
- it also protected the head from direct contact with the ground
In several African societies, hairstyles carried strong social and identitary importance.

Prestige object
These items were often reserved for:
- chiefs
- dignitaries
- people of high rank
The quality of the sculpture indicated the prestige of the owner.

Spiritual function
Among the Luba in particular, the head is considered the seat:
- of the soul
- of intelligence
- of ancestral memory
Sleeping on a neck rest could promote:
- dreams
- communication with ancestors
- spiritual protection during sleep

Forms and symbols
Luba/Hemba neck rests are often carved with:
- female human figures
- ancestors
- symbolic postures
The woman depicted may symbolize:
- fertility
- the continuity of the lineage
- protection

Today
These objects are highly sought after in ancient African art for:
- their elegance
- their patina
- their ethnographic and artistic value

Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with insurance and tracking number. `Delivery between 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union. Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.

We speak English

Mask African art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano

Seller's Story

Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects. It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art. At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value. The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity. Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time. We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them. We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value. Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces. Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time. The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them. Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form. We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art. Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google Translate

DR Congo
Hemba / Luba
Wood
Height: 150 mm
Width: 180 mm
Length: 90 mm

African neck rest from the Hemba/Luba people of DR Congo depicting a person of high rank, probably a queen. Numerous scarifications over the entire body.

Beautiful patina from use. Old holes in the original base from xylophagous insects.

The Luba and Hemba peoples are renowned for their highly refined wooden sculptures.

Practical use: sleeping without damaging the hairstyle
The neck rest served as support for the head during sleep:
- the nape rested on the small support
- this prevented crushing elaborate hairstyles
- it also protected the head from direct contact with the ground
In several African societies, hairstyles carried strong social and identitary importance.

Prestige object
These items were often reserved for:
- chiefs
- dignitaries
- people of high rank
The quality of the sculpture indicated the prestige of the owner.

Spiritual function
Among the Luba in particular, the head is considered the seat:
- of the soul
- of intelligence
- of ancestral memory
Sleeping on a neck rest could promote:
- dreams
- communication with ancestors
- spiritual protection during sleep

Forms and symbols
Luba/Hemba neck rests are often carved with:
- female human figures
- ancestors
- symbolic postures
The woman depicted may symbolize:
- fertility
- the continuity of the lineage
- protection

Today
These objects are highly sought after in ancient African art for:
- their elegance
- their patina
- their ethnographic and artistic value

Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with insurance and tracking number. `Delivery between 1 to 3 days in France via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union. Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo International.

We speak English

Mask African art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano

Seller's Story

Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects. It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art. At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value. The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity. Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time. We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them. We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value. Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces. Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time. The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them. Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form. We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art. Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google Translate

Details

Indigenous object name
neck support
Ethnic group/ culture
Hemba / Luba
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
FranceVerified
1484
Objects sold
100%
protop

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