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A Tabwa sculpture, DRC. Certificate of origin and provenance.

"During the mid-nineteenth century, a group of elite Tabwa families who prospered through regional trade challenged traditional forms of governance and assumed control of regional leadership. These new Tabwa rulers looked to ancestry to legitimize their right to lead, invoking and, when necessary, inventing a chiefly lineage through sculptural representations of royal predecessors. A new genre of figural sculpture was developed to depict these chiefly ancestors. Passed down from one generation to the next, these works were visual representations of enduring dynastic power.

The legitimacy of the chiefly family's rule depended upon its perceived superiority within the community, and ancestral sculptures such as this couple were intended to reinforce these notions. Decoration of the skin with raised geometric designs was one way of indicating exceptional character: to transform one's body into an ordered, ornate, and visually pleasurable object was to attain the highest ideals of enlightenment and civilization. Both of these figures exhibit facial markings that draw attention to areas of the head associated with acute perception and intelligence. Lines on the cheeks and temples indicate the spot just above the bridge of the nose that was considered the origin of wisdom and foresight. Two long, textured bands frame the forehead, home of dreams that were considered a special form of vision bestowed upon gifted individuals.

These Tabwa figures, like most other works of this genre, are nude except for strands of beads around their necks, wrists, ankles, and, on the female figure, the waist. Period sources tell us that Tabwa individuals generally wore very few articles of clothing, but that beaded belts were commonly worn by both men and women, and acted as markers of kinship. When an elder died, his or her belt was passed down to a younger relative, maintaining ancestral continuity and family identity. "

Source: The Met

Wood - Fair condition

Tabwa - DR Congo  (No Reserve Price)

African & Tribal Art

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Dimensions

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Object

Tribal art and objects

Tribal sculptures statues carvings and figurines

Tribal masks

Figure

Dance mask

Mask

Sculpture

Tribal jewellery and adornments

Fetish figure

Tribal textiles and clothing

Reliquary

Statue

Ancestor figure

Giclée

Carving

Figurehead

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Painting

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Panel

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Bowl

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Country of origin

Nigeria

Côte d'Ivoire

Mali

Gabon

DR Congo

Cameroon

Congo

Africa

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Material

Wood

Bronze

Terracotta

Copper

Aluminium

Bone

Metal

Glass

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Iron (wrought)

Brass

Stone

Leather

Patinated bronze

Shell

Animal hair

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Gender

Unisex

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Fair condition

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

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Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

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Good

Good condition, see description

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Fine

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Fair

Very good condition - slightly used with small signs of wear

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Poor - heavily used with major cracks, damages or major parts missing

Extras

Stand

No extra's

Tipped in plates

Period

Late 20th century

2000-2010

1930-1940

Mid 20th century

1940-1950

Early 20th century

2020+

1950-1960

1920-1930

1990-2000

1960-1970

1980-1990

1970-1980

1900-1910

2010-2020

1910-1920

1850-1900

Late 19th century

1750-1800

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Non-CITES species

Subject

Tribal art and culture

Oceania

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Regional interest

Anthropology

Archaeology

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Illustrated

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Style

Folk Art

Ancient Asian

Antique

African & Tribal Art

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Tabwa - DR Congo (No Reserve Price)

Popular in African & Tribal Art

871 objects

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African & Tribal Art

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Tabwa - DR Congo (No Reserve Price)

Popular in African & Tribal Art

871 objects

Related collections