An incredible wooden Ndop sculpture from the Kuba (Bushongo) people. It is an anthropomorphic royal statue from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ndop are carved wooden effigies that serve as spiritual portraits of the kings (nyim) of the Kuba dynasty. The figure is depicted seated cross-legged on a raised geometric platform. It features a disproportionately large head (symbolising wisdom and intelligence) and a serene, realistic facial expression. More than a physical likeness, the ndop was believed to house the king’s soul and life force, serving as a link between the living monarch, his subjects and the royal ancestors.