Lot 267
**Originally Listed At $300**
Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Western Pende peoples, ca. 20th century CE. A tall, attenuated female figure carved from wood, her form rendered with an abstract elegance that elongates the head and neck while balancing the body in a poised akimbo stance. The figure is nude, her hands resting firmly against her thighs, and her expression is one of quiet resolve, with narrowed eyes and a subtle mouth suggesting contemplative presence. The head is hollow, ingeniously filled with small rattle elements so that the sculpture becomes both visual and auditory in ritual use, enlivened by sound when moved. The entire figure is coated with a rich layer of tukula powder, a sacred red substance derived from the excrement of termites that feed upon the camwood tree. Among the Pende, tukula was not only a cosmetic and medicinal substance but also a material imbued with spiritual vitality, its burnished hue heightening the figure's aura of power and beauty. Size: 4.2" L x 4.8" W x 21" H (10.7 cm x 12.2 cm x 53.3 cm)
Figures such as this were often created for initiation ceremonies, protective functions, or as intermediaries with the ancestral realm. The exaggerated proportions resonates with the broader canon of Pende sculptural aesthetics, which privilege expressive abstraction over naturalism. The combination of material, form, and rattle sound imbues this work with a deeply performative and sacred dimension. A striking embodiment of Pende artistry, this piece merges sculptural grace with ritual potency, its earthy red surface and sonorous interior ensuring that it spoke not only to the eye but to the spirit.
Provenance: private Louisville, Kentucky, USA collection, acquired 1990 to 1998
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#197340
- Condition: Some light surface wear with a few stable hairline fissures in areas, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with liberal remaining pigment and rich patina.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |