With an outstanding selection of Central African masterpieces, Lempertz is proud to present a collection of objects that offers insights into the artistic, social, and spiritual complexity of African court culture of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The top lot of the auction is an exceptional royal Ngongo figure from northern Kasai-Occidental (Democratic Republic of the Congo), dating from the 19th century (estimate 120,000 to 150,000 euro). This rare depiction of a Kuba court dignitary captivates with its elegantly elongated proportions and impressive presence. In Kuba society, social status was not inherited but earned through personal achievement, which was reflected in art through the demonstrative display of wealth and sophistication. The figure combines courtly elegance with symbolic power: while the high forehead and fine scarification signify wisdom and cultural refinement, the powerful ram’s horns point to assertiveness and competition within the political elite. At the same time, the object served as a hunting fetish and thus embodies the ideal of a ruler who combines cultured authority with combative strength.

A further highlight takes the form of an important royal Bwoom mask from the Kuba Kingdom, estimated at 60,000 to 80,000 euros. It is one of the finest known examples of its kind, comparable only to the one now housed in the Brooklyn Museum. The archaic architectural design and dignified expression point to its central role within Kuba mythology, in which Bwoom, as an ambivalent, subversive figure, stands in opposition to the dynasty’s founder, Woot. Worth noting is the closed facial structure without openings for the eyes (the wearer looks through the nostrils), which gives the mask a detached, almost supernatural presence.

An impressive D’mba-Yamban mask from Guinea’s Baga culture will also be offered for sale, with an estimated price of 65,000 to 80,000 euros. It embodies the ideal of feminine strength and grace, whilst its monumental form and characteristic aquiline nose had a significant influence on European modernism - Pablo Picasso, in particular, drew inspiration from similar forms for his series ‘Head of a Woman’ (1931–1932). The nuanced surface treatment, with a dark patina in the upper section and natural wood below, suggests its original integration into a complex costume made of raffia and textiles. Metal appliqués and sculpturally rendered details underscore the mask’s role as the embodiment of a benevolent female deity.

The ceremonial bow stand from the Luba Kingdom represents a rare emblem of royal power. Dating from the late 19th century, the object refers to the legendary figure of the cultural hero Mbidi Kiluwe and, as a strictly private symbol of authority, was accessible exclusively to the royal circle. The central female figure emphasises the fundamental role of women as spiritual and political authorities in Luba society. Her elaborate hairstyle and delicate scarification reflect the highest aesthetic ideals and refer to the close connection between beauty, power, and spirituality. The piece is estimated at 22,000 to 28,000 euros.

The selection is complemented by a reliquary figure (Eyema Byeri) by the Fang people of Gabon, created around 1900 (estimate 50,000 to 60,000 euros). These sculptures gained international attention at the beginning of the 20th century and became iconic sources of inspiration for the European avant-garde. Their reduced, geometrically abstracted formal language had a decisive influence on the development of Cubism. In its original context, the figure served as a ‘spiritual guardian’ that preserved the knowledge and continuity of the ancestors. The combination of childlike and adult proportions symbolises the cycle of life.

The works presented powerfully illustrate how closely art, power, and spirituality are intertwined in African societies whilst simultaneously opening up an art-historical dialogue between Africa and European modernism.

The auction will take place on 1^st July at Lempertz in Brussels.

Jan Bykowski
Press and PR
bykowski@lempertz.com
Tel. 0049 (0)221 925729 -57