Statue - Shoowa-Kuba - DR Congo

• Superb Shoowa-kuba statue

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Dimensions: 57 × 13.5 cm

• Materials: hard and dense wood, patina

• Period: Mid-20th century

• Provenance: former private Belgian collection

— Very beautiful Shoowa-kuba figure in very hard and dense wood typically used by the Bakuba for their statues. It is very likely that the piece was sculpted in Mushenge, capital of King Bushongo.
This represents a high dignitary of the king's court (the Nyimi), who was surrounded by a restricted council and ministers. (see preview photograph)
The most important among them, acting as Prime Minister, led the council of the kingdom's original nations.
In the Kuba kingdom, the generic term to designate the group of high dignitaries, notables and court ministers is "Ncale".
One can see that it wears a red copper necklace around the neck. If it was not the sole source of their prosperity, this precious metal allowed the kingdom to prosper thanks to the Central African trade networks. This rare and bright metal was reserved for the elite. It was used to make sumptuous works of art, symbols of power and royal ornaments that asserted the wealth of the sovereign (Nyimi) and dignitaries.
We also find one around the neck of one of the two Ndop (Bushongo royal statue) which is in the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren near Brussels. (see last photograph)

— The statue, very heavy, is in perfect condition, with no shine or damaged parts, and very likely dates from the mid-20th century. The sculpture workshop (also known as the arts-and-crafts school) in Mushenge was created in the 1950s by Catholic missionaries, more precisely the Jesuit Fathers. (or Scheut missionaries)

— Careful delivery, insured and with tracking number.