Hemba Ancestor AAA857 sculpture

A classic depiction of the Hemba ancestor

This 20th-century sculpture depicts an ancestor of the Hemba tribe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Embodying ancestral nobility, it helped strengthen the family lineage during crucial ceremonies. It was also considered a spiritual vessel that facilitated the connection between the world of the deceased and that of the living. Versmissen presents this piece as a testament to Hemba cultural heritage.

The figure is distinguished by a classic pose: its hands rest on the navel and its eyes are slightly closed. This attitude expresses the spiritual dimension attributed to Hemba ancestral figures. Carved from natural beige wood, the piece bears the reference AAA857. Its understated treatment highlights the ancestor’s silhouette and symbolic gestures, while recalling the role of these figures in family ceremonies.

Features of the Hemba AAA857 sculpture

• Reference: AAA857
• Origin: Hemba tribe, DR Congo
• Material: wood
• Colours: natural and beige
• Pose: hands resting on the navel and half-closed eyes