Female Figure — Ovimbundu, Angola — Wood & beads — H 32 cm Origin: Ovimbundu people, Angola Materials: Wood, glass beads Height: 32 cm Provenance: Auction Presumed age: First half of the 20th century A refined and expressive Ovimbundu female figure, carved with great elegance and balance. Figures of this type remain relatively rare, and their exact function is still debated — some suggest a link to female initiation, others to fertility beliefs or divinatory practices. Whatever their use, they stand out for their distinctive style and quiet emotional presence. This example is sculpted with a slender, elongated body, a slightly rounded abdomen, and a small, high chest. The heels are subtly lifted, giving a sense of upward poise. The hands, carved with four fingers and incised nails, rest delicately along the torso while remaining detached from it, creating a graceful interplay of volumes. Sexual features are present but discreetly rendered. The face is particularly striking: finely modeled features, subtle scarification marks, large carved ears (the left adorned with a glass-bead earring), and red glass beads for the eyes, giving the figure a vivid, attentive expression. The magnificent braided coiffure falls over the shoulders, completing the composition with remarkable finesse. The surface displays a beautiful, warm patina in caramel and deep brown tones, with localized encrustations attesting to age and long handling. A high-quality and highly appealing example of Ovimbundu sculpture. Highlights - Fine Ovimbundu carving with elegant proportions - Expressive face with red-bead eyes and a bead earring - Magnificent braided coiffure falling to the shoulders - Slender, elongated body with lifted heels giving dynamic poise - Delicate hands with four fingers and incised nails - Warm, lustrous patina with age-consistent wear - First half of the 20th century, rare type