Herminette "shongo" - Luba - DR Congo

• Figurative ceremonial herminette with iron blade and wooden handle, Luba

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Overall height: 46 × 23 cm

• Materials: wrought iron, wood, patina

• Weight: 675 g

• Period: early 20th century (or late 19th century)

• Provenance: Jean-Marc Desaive collection - Belgium

• Condition: upper side of the blade cleaned. See 8th photograph

— Figurative, iron-blade herminettes with wooden handles were worn by Luba kings, chiefs, and titleholders. Often carried slung over the shoulder, they served ceremonial purposes or to assert social status (Roberts & Roberts, Luba: Visions of Africa, 2007).

— Luba artists created many objects tied to the activities of the royal court. Prestige items were generally adorned with female figures, ubiquitous in Luba art. With the Luba empire spanning a vast territory, stylistic variations were numerous. Luba artists testified to their social status through the herminettes they carried on their shoulders.

— The Luba Empire was founded in 1585 in the Upemba Depression by King Kongolo. His nephew and successor, Kalala Ilunga, quickly extended the kingdom to include all territories of the upper left bank of the Lualaba River. At its height, about a million people paid tribute to the Luba king (Bacquart, Les arts tribaux d'Afrique, 1998).

— The last two photographs show two similar Luba herminettes.

— Careful and insured delivery with tracking number.