AfricanTribal Art, amazing luba zela statue from KATANGA PROVINCE (DRC)

Description

Title
AfricanTribal Art,amazing luba zela statue from KATANGA PROVINCE (DRC)
County of origin
Democratic Republic of Congo
People
Luba/zela
Type of object
Statue(Carving)
Materials
Wood
Approx. size
59cm -- 23 inches high/weight:6kg
Luba
The Luba Empire was founded in
1585
, in the Upemba depression by King
Kongolo
. His nephew and successor, Kalala ilunga, rapidly expanded the kingdom to encompass all the territories on the upper left bank of the Lualaba River. At its peak, about one million people living in several tribes, were paying tribute to the Luba King. At the end of the 19th century, with the advance of the Ovimbundu people from Angola and the raids of the East African Muslim slavers, the empire weakened and in fact, collapsed when the Belgian colonies took control. With the assistance of a court of notables, called Bamfumus, the king, known as the Mulopwe, reinged over his subjects through clan Kings called
Balopwe
. These clan Kings could symbolically become the Mulopwe’s son which created client states through the empire. A secret society,
Bambudye
, kept the memory of the Luba Empire alive and permeated throughout Luba territory, bonding the diverse populations together. Luba empire economy was complex –it was based on a tribute system and the redistribution of resources
from agriculture, fishing, hunting and mining. The production of salt an
d iron was under the king ‘control.
Luba STATUE
Luba artists carved kneeling or standing female figures, called Mboko, who were usually holding cups for divination purposes. Standing figures, believed to represent forest spirts or ancestors, are rare and are usually covered by an oily patina that comes from continuous libations.
EVERY DAY OBJECTS
The Luba produced numerous prestige objects anthropomorphic caryatid stools, bow stands, spears, staffs, pipes, axes and neckrests which were adorned with figures and were used during official ceremonies or to display wealth. Ivory apotropaic amulets were worn by some Luba people.Luba terracotta vessels are often decorated with incised geometric motifs.
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Please note I will give discount on combined shipping if purchasing multiple items
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Please note I do combined shipping as follows:
15 USD I reduce to 10 USD
20 USD I reduced to 14 USD
25 USD I reduce to 16 USD
30 USD   I reduce to 20 USD
35 USD I reduce to 25 USD
40 USD I reduce to 29 USD
45 USD I reduced to 30 USD
50 USD I reduce to 34 USD
55 USD I reduce to 37 USD
60 USD I reduce to 41 USD
65 USD I reduce to 43 USD
70 USD I  reduce to 46 USD
75 USD I reduce to  49 USD
80  USD I reduce to 55 USD
I also look the combine weight and reduce further where possible
PLEASE NOTE –
In addition to offering combined shipping.  Please contact me if shipping to Europe as I can adjust the shipping to a lower cost