A pair of statuettes, bearing the engraved scarification marks on the nose and rising to the forehead characteristic of the Ngbandi and Ngbaka, living around the Ubangui River in northern Congo. This beautifully crafted pair, undoubtedly ancient, must have been collected soon after being carved and does not bear witness to long use, as seems to be the case for many works in public and private collections from these regions with dry but early-collected patinas. See : Ubangui, Grootaers, 2007 Ngbaka, Democratic Republic of Congo Wood, iron, pearl necklace, lustrous patina. H. 39.5 and 41 cm Provenance : Former colonial collection Alain Guisson Collection, Brussels David Henrion Collection, Brussels Publications and exhibitions: Pierre Bergé, Brussels, November 7, 2008, no. 137