neck rest - Bembe - DR Congo (No reserve price)

Ritual headrest – Bembe – Democratic Republic of the Congo

Very rare and unusual headrest attributable to the Bembe stylistic corpus, originating from the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This object stands out for a particularly bold sculptural construction, resting on a play of powerful and perfectly balanced geometric volumes.

The structure is articulated around two oblique uprights forming an almost abstract architecture, supporting a slightly curved upper surface intended to accommodate the head. In the center, a carved face appears suspended, imparting to the whole a presence that is both human and symbolic. The eyes inlaid with red glass paste beads heighten the intensity of the gaze and reinforce the spiritual dimension of the object.

The patina is deep, dense and very marked, the result of prolonged use and repeated contact with skin, body oils and the ritual environment. This ancient surface, dark and shiny in places, testifies to the authenticity and antiquity of the piece.

Among the Bembe, headrests were not merely utilitarian objects. They contributed to the preservation of the hairstyle, but also to a symbolic dimension linked to sleep, dreams and the circulation of vital forces. The presence of the face suggests a protective or ancestral role, establishing a link between the sleeper and the invisible world.

An exceptional object by its typology, its rarity and its radical aesthetics, which powerfully illustrates the formal ingenuity and symbolic depth of Bembe art.

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Based in Belgium, our expert and sales house specializes in African and ethnographic art. A reference seller on Catawiki for more than 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with an almost 100% satisfaction rate.

We regularly assist with liquidations, successions and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is rigorous, transparent and accessible, with many sales offered without reserve prices.

Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.

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