Luba Male Figure
Democratic Republic of Congo
19 ½ in
Wood & cloth

"Luba figures have an immediate appeal to Western art collectors because of their elegance and finesse of their execution. The spiritual serenity of their facial expressions is of almost indescribable beauty." (76, Lehmann )

The Luba empire arose in the 17th century and collapsed in the late 19th century Certain regions of Luba are characterized by the cubist, angular forms in their artwork. They are usually given large foreheads with tapering facial features. These statues do not 'possess' spirits but rather act as conduits between life and death, they need to be activated by a trained ritual specialist who combines magical, natural and man-made ingredients which enhance the statues appearance as well as distinguishing its spiritual purpose.

Luba-Hemba masks
are called kifwebe to honor a spirit by that same name. They are usually worn in male/female pairs for royal ceremonies….and on the night of the new moon, when villagers dance to honor their ancestors, one might distinguish the band of engraved designs on the mask's surface that relate specifically to the Luba king's lineage and chiefly taboos. (68, Koloss)

Hemba ancestral figures called 'singiti' are intended as portraits, they do not give an accurate physical description of the deceased instead they try to encompass the social stature of the ancestor or his/her abstract persona. (70, Koloss)

For a price quote call 206- 442- 2100 or email: Kibogalerie@qwest.net