stone funerary statue - Bakongo - DR Congo

This statuette is part of a set of four funerary stone figurines attributed to the Bakongo cultural area (Bas-Congo).
Carved in a soft stone with a beautiful antique patina, these anthropomorphic representations are distinguished by their varied poses, expressive faces, and deeply evocative character.
Originally intended for commemorative and funerary contexts, they bear witness to the region’s artistic and spiritual traditions.
Note, the piece is sold individually, not as a lot.

I am offering you an original collection of ethnographic objects from the colonial era said to have been brought back from the Congo/Zaïre by a Belgian engineer who traveled the country in the course of his activities.

The collection comprises figurines carved in wood and stone, masks, as well as various utilitarian and representative objects from local cultures.

This varied assemblage illustrates the richness of artisanal know-how and material traditions in Central Africa during a pivotal period in its history.

Gathered over time, this lot holds definite interest for both collectors of African ethnography and admirers of antique objects and historical testimonies.
The diversity of materials, forms, and uses gives the ensemble a coherent overall character and a remarkable presence, quite characteristic of that era.