Stunning Songye fertility statue. Democratic Republic of Congo. Dates from the mid/late 20th century. The hands are prominently sculpted and rest symmetrically on the sides of a rounded, protruding abdomen. This gesture symbolizes lineage, descent, and the continuous connection between the ancestor and the fertility/continuity of his family. The face displays serene features, a prominent forehead, and almond-shaped half-closed eyes, evoking a state of royal dignity, introspection, and post-mortem spiritual wisdom. At the end of the long chin, a geometrically and linearly sculpted beard contours the jaw, a classic symbol of authority and seniority among Hemba chiefs. The figure stands on short, muscular legs that end directly in a robust circular wooden base, designed to keep the piece stable within small shrines or funerary huts.