Sculpture - Wood - Yombe - DR Congo

The tombs of prominent persons were adorned with a shrine in which one or more " Niongi " figures were placed.
These grave figurines referred to the practices peculiar to the position of the deceased.
In our case, it is a king/village head with his status headgear. He is seated on a double "leopard throne" chewing on a rolled tobacco sausage.

Ex. Colonial collection. Family Goudleven, Leuven ( in situ 1940/50).
Ex. Private coll. Brussels.
See photos of two epitaphs with figures: "Mayombe",
Tielt , 2010 , p. 25.

Semi hard wood type.
Light shiny, dark brown to black oil patina.
Face painted in white.
The figurine has glass encrusted eyes and two leopard heads.
Pubic area covered with a nailed animal skin piece.
The chest is covered with tree resin, small round box with glass
closing (magic substances).
Right arm has been reinforced with an iron nail in the shoulder.
A lot of insect damage to the base and headdress.
Here and there indigenous restorations and broken off wooden pieces.
Dust deposits.
At the bottom two large, yellow brass nails for equalization.

Beautiful funeral figurine of a Yombe-King!

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