A Fine and Rare Yombe Kneeling Power Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo

the male figure wearing an iron ring around the neck; fine lustrous varied brown patina.

Freddie Rolin, New York
Acquired from the above, 1970s  

This figure belongs to a small group of Yombe sculptures identified by Lehuard (1989, vol. II: 492) as the "Sub-style of Ponzo." The first of these rare sculptures was collected in 1892 by Dr. Louis Laurent in the village of Ponzo and subsequently given to the Musée Royal de l'Afrique Central, Tervuren (ibid.). For another sculpture showing a closely related treatment of the face cf. ibid. (497, fig. J 6-1-7) and for another figure showing the same coiffure ibid. (494, fig. J 6-1-3).