A fine old male anthropomorphic statuette representing an ancestor wearing the characteristic headdress of the Hemba nobility. This small ancient Hemba ancestor sculpture appears to be in the so-called Mambwe style from the area around the village of Makutano, stylistically close to work no. 7 in Group VIII, notably for the treatment of the nose and forehead, according to Francois Neyt's classification in his essential work: La grande statuaire Hemba du Zaïre. Hemba, Democratic Republic of Congo, acquired in Goma in 1980 Wood, old cracks, wear and old rodent stigmata, very fine old patina. Height: 30.5cm Provenance: Jacques Viault Jacques Viault Collection