Hemba Ancestral Male Figure

A Hemba ancestral figure, Democratic Republic of Congo. Hemba figures are typically devoted to the representation of male ancestors. Hemba people understand that ancestors live in a realm separate from the living but are able to watch over the living in this realm and that ancestor figures act as vessels for these ancestors. This figure is carved from wood and depicts a standing male with a long ovoid faces, square shoulders, and long slender body, and bent knees on a circular base. Height 16.73 in., width 3.94 in., depth 4.33 in.