Bembe people, Democratic Republic of Congo, 1st... Lot 7

Bembe people, Democratic Republic of Congo, 1st third of the 20th century Magic-religious statue representing a standing figure, legs bent, the powerful trunk decorated with scarifications from the abdomen to the chest and extending over the back. This statuette has a face with eyes inlaid with small white beads and a hole under the buttocks to receive the "bilongo" magic charge. Carved light wood, natural patina, beads. Height 30 cm, width 12 cm. (slight recollage) Provenance : Collected in-situ by Fernand OLIVEDA, Knight of the Legion of Honor and Chief Administrator of the colonies from 1888 to 1930 (Madagascar, Senegal, Congo). In 1925, he was Chief of the Secretariat of the General Governor of the Middle Congo.