Rare 19 cm ancestor statuette - Wood - BOYO / MBOYO - DR Congo

The Boyo or Mboyo are part of the ethnic group called pre-Bembé, as are the Basikongo, Bahutshwe, Babwari. . . and are geographically located around Lake Tanganyka. Their art is halfway between the Luba and Lega style and has often been wrongly attributed to the Bembé who never made and used statues. This type of sculpture, male or female, participates in the cults of ancestors. They are placed on an altar and serve as intermediaries between the dead and the descendants of each lineage. In times of crisis, the guardian of the altar, who is often also the chief of the village, invokes their help in exchange for their offerings. These statues form very similar ensembles. The tallest is often the oldest, that of the most distant ancestor, which will serve as the starting prototype. The following are similar to the first, but smaller, as we get closer to the present time. See page 95 of the book South of Sahara by C. Petridis, 1981. Very beautiful piece illustrating the elaborate art of the Boyo. Dry patina of wear, honey colour. Former private collection.