Pindi female figure, Mbala, Democratic Republic of Congo - Lot 37

Pindi female figure, Mbala, Democratic Republic of Congo Early 20th century Carved wood Height: 29 cm Provenance David Serra Collection, Barcelona --- Female figure Pindi, Mbala, Democratic Republic of the Congo Early 20th century Carved wood Height: 29 cm Provenances: David Serra Collection, Barcelona Stemming from an ancient migratory dynamic from the Kwango region, the Mbala settled as early as the the XVIIᵉ century in a vast area of cultural confluence in the northwest of today's Democratic Democratic Republic of Congo, where their identity was shaped by contact with neighboring ethnic groups such as the Pende, Yaka or Suku. The singular statuary of this people is part of this dense historical and cultural context. This effigy stands out from this limited corpus for the elegance of its gestures, subtly combining subtle combination of restrained tension and movement, the depth of its lustrous brown patina and the uniqueness of its kneeling posture, rare in this repertoire. The piece's age the piece's age is evident in the softness of the modelling, the volumes patinated by time and and ritual manipulations, as well as in certain areas of localized effacement - notably the mouth - giving the whole a silent, almost meditative expression of interiority. The face, set in a cordial plane, offers softened features: large almond-shaped eyes, a flat nose with triangular ridges, and a small, unobtrusive mouth. At the back, the lobed mukoto hairstyle, typical of Mbala Mbala statuary, unfurls in relief and falls gracefully to the nape of the neck. Body posture, slightly forward, accentuates the solemnity of the attitude and suggests a devotional relationship. In contrast to the most common Mbala representations, the famous Pindi statues, often often presented as a couple and embodying figures of maternity and musicians - this kneeling effigy asserts its plastic uniqueness. It thus opens the way to a new interpretation, perhaps linked to a specific ritual register. perhaps linked to a specific ritual register. A work of memory and presence, it embodies with intensity the restrained power of Mbala statuary. ---- Originating from an ancient migratory dynamic from the Kwango region, the Mbala have been established since the seventeenth century in a vast area of cultural confluence in the north-west of the present Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo, where their identity was shaped by contact with neighbouring ethnic groups such as Pende, Yaka or Suku. It is in this dense historical and cultural context that the singular statuary of this people is inscribed. This effigy is distinguished within this restricted corpus, by the elegance of its gesture, which combines with subtle tension contained and movement, by the depth of its brown patina to the reflections luster, as well as by the singularity of his kneeling posture, rare in this repertoire. The the piece is reflected in the softness of the models, the volumes patinated by time and ritual manipulations, as well as in certain areas of localized erasure - especially at the from the mouth - giving the whole an expression of quiet, almost meditative interiority. The face, inscribed on a cordiform plane, offers softened features: large almond eyes, flat nose with triangular edges, and a small erased mouth. At the back, the mukoto lobed hairstyle, typical of the statuary Mbala, unfolds in relief and falls gracefully on the nape. The body posture, slightly stretched forward, accentuates the solemnity of the attitude and suggests a relationship of devotion. Behind the most common Mbala representations, the famous Pindi statues, often presented as a couple and embodying figures of motherhood and musicians - this effigy kneeling through its plastic uniqueness. It thus opens the way to a new interpretation, perhaps related to a specific ritual register. Work of memory and presence, it embodies with intensity the power contained in the Mbala statuary.