A Superb Yombe Staff Finial, Democratic Republic of the Congo

the highly realistic female figure with crossed legs seated on a platfrom, below her two figures in relief, on the back a prisoner with arms and legs tied, on the front a marching person holding a megaphone; exceptionally fine medium brown patina with highlights in dark pigment.

Christian Duponcheel, Brussels
Acquired from the above, 1970s 

The detailed iconography of this superb staff is of great interest. According to Marc Felix (personal communication March 2, 2007) the woman holding her breasts has a double meaning: first, the nurturing of the people; second, women as the founders of clans and lineages metaphorically alludes to fertility as the root of matriarchy. The person with the megaphone can be interpreted as a herald anouncing an important event. For closely related examples cf. Lehuard (1989, vol. II: 472-473, figs. J 1-6-2 and J 1-7-1) and Sotheby’s New York, May, 6 1998, lot 240.