A beautiful, ancient protective bust sculpture with an elaborate headdress of multiple stylized braids, overhung by its ritual "magic charge", still present and characteristic of the arts destined for the Hemba nobility. The shoulder blades are beautiful and still present, round and well sculpted, the torso rhythmic, the umbilicus and breasts prominent and powerful, the arms on either side in a classical posture embodying the stability of lineage chiefs. A stylized beard outlines his face, with its beautiful expression and taut lines, and eyes highlighted by magnificent, large arches, bearing witness to the great ancient Hemba statuary. Hemba (or Kusu), Democratic Republic of Congo Wood, various materials making up the load, wear, significant visible missing parts (woodborers), very fine old patina from use, oozing in places. Height: 50cm Provenance: Boisgirad, Paris, "Arts Primitifs" (expert Jean Roudillon), March 11, 1974. Lot 82 Alice and Henri Dupont Collection, Lille, acquired at this sale Passed on by descent