AAA888 Hemba Ancestor Sculpture

An ancestral figure from Hemba culture

Bearing the reference AAA888, this Versmissen sculpture depicts a Hemba ancestor in a classic posture: the hands rest on the navel while the eyes are half-closed. Crafted from natural wood, it has a beige shade and measures 9 × 7,5 × 26,5 cm. This 20th-century figure originates from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In Hemba culture, ancestral figures symbolise the nobility of the ancestors and help strengthen the family lineage. They were displayed during significant ceremonies. Regarded as a spiritual vessel, such a representation symbolically facilitated the connection between the world of the dead and that of the living. Its posture, gaze and slender form bring together the distinctive elements described for this sculpture.

Features of the AAA888 sculpture

• Hemba ancestral figure
• Carved from natural wood
• Dimensions: 9 × 7,5 × 26,5 cm
• Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Piece dating from the 20th century