STATUE, TABWA, RÉPUBLIQUE DÉMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO |

Marc Léo Félix, Bruxelles, 1975
Collection Baudouin de Grunne (1917-2011), Wezembeek-Oppem
Sotheby's, New York, "The Baudouin de Grunne Collection of African Art", 19 mai 2000, n° 47
Collection Marceau Rivière, Paris

Washington, The Rising of a New Moon : A century of Tabwa Art, janvier - mars 1986 / Ann Arbor, The University of Michigan Museum of Art, avril - août 1986 / Tervuren, Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, septembre - octobre 1986

Maurer et Roberts, The Rising of a New Moon : A century of Tabwa Art, 1986, p. 239, n° 127

Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. As visible in the catalogue illustration, the proper right arm and the front of both feet are missing. There is an open stablised crack running down the proper right side of the torso. The carved patterns on the body and the sculpted reliefs to the head are very well preserved.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Les statues, qui constituent l'expression fondamentale de l'art Tabwa, associent à la personnification des chefs les valeurs ultimes de la beauté, de la sagesse et du pouvoir (Maurer et Roberts, Tabwa. The Rising of a New Moon : A Century of Tabwa Art, 1985, p. 23).  Superbement exprimées ici, ces valeurs se révèlent dans l'intériorité de l'expression, le parfait équilibre du geste et la très grande sensibilité des modelés et des scarifications animant le buste et le visage.