Songye voorouder -figuur DR Congo - Figure - Congo

Songye ancestral figure - DR Congo
h 50cm wood horn hide
Montagut Gallery: 'early 20th century'
an imposing standing male power figure with the face in a distinctive V-shape.
stylistically aligned with the Songye in the central region located around and south of Kalebwe.
the feet of the figure and the circular base, which are carved from the same wood, are wrapped with hide. the visible 'paraphernalia' wraps the torso and is fastened with a string.
a dark patina testifies to age and rituals.
provenance: old French collection ex private collection Montagut Gallery, Barcelona