Hemba Ancestor AAA1125 sculpture

A Hemba ancestor figure with a spiritual role

This 20th-century sculpture comes from the Hemba tribe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It depicts an ancestor and conveys the ancestral nobility associated with strengthening the family lineage. Displayed during crucial ceremonies, it helped consolidate the family’s standing. Versmissen offers this antique piece, whose meaning lies in the connection between family identity and spirituality.

The figure is depicted with hands resting on the navel and half-closed eyes. Scarifications adorn the chest, abdomen and back, adding rhythm to its carved surface. Considered a spiritual vessel, it facilitated the connection between the world of the dead and that of the living. Crafted from natural wood in beige tones, the sculpture measures 19 x 21,5 x 65 cm and bears the reference AAA1125.

Features of the AAA1125 sculpture

• Culture: Hemba
• Origin: DR Congo
• Material: wood
• Dimensions: 19 x 21,5 x 65 cm
• Scarifications on the chest, abdomen and back