Lot 101
Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lomami River region, Mbole peoples, early 20th century CE. A gruesome, tall, slender figure meant to represent a hanged man. This style of figure is central to the initiation practices of the law enforcement association, called Lilwa, in Mbole society. The figure has a long face, with sunken eyes and cheeks, and one side of the face painted red while the other is painted white. His expression is clearly sad. A tall, abstract shape - representing the figure's coiffure - rises from the top of the head. The figure sits with his hands on his upper thighs, his knees slightly bent, and his prominent phallus extended. Diagonal incisions on the sides create a gaunt look, like his ribs are exposed. The feet are connected by a bar. Comes with custom stand. Size: 5.5" W x 22.5" H (14 cm x 57.2 cm); height on stand: 28" (71.1 cm).
All of the young men and the daughters of the highest ranking members of the society were inducted into Lilwa. They were isolated in a lodge in the forest and guided by an older person as they completed a series of trials. A sculpture like this one is from the final moments of the ritual, what they have been leading up to through all of their trials, when the new initiates are allowed to see and touch the symbolic objects of the Lilwa society. From this, they learned how to be moral actors, and were cautioned against adultery, stealing, and lying. They would also witness the punishment for breaking the rules - public hangings, after which, sculptures like this one were carved, often representing known individuals. You can read much more about this practice by looking up the Metropolitan Museum item listed below.
See a very similar example at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession #1978.412.571.
Provenance: private collection of the late Allen Davis, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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#125468
- Condition: Crack on the wood bar between the feet. Surface wear from age and handling. Nice remaining pigment.
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