A rare and very old statuette with a scarified face with a scarified face and the characteristic large, stylized headdress with a central shell, the braids of which are engraved in striations on either side. Its moving stature (another characteristic of ancient Mbala statuary) leaning to one side, and its face with an aggressive expression, its mouth open to its clearly visible carved teeth, give it a strong, intense presence. Mbala, Democratic Republic of Congo Wood, nails, visible missing parts, part of the headdress truncated at the back, left foot broken and glued (original piece), very old dried-out varnish, retracted, beautiful old oxidation, old patina. Height: 28cm Provenance: Alice and Henri Dupont Alice and Henri Dupont Collection, Lille, acquired ca. 1950 Transmitted by descent