Lot A94 - Kuba Ndop Royal Portrait Figure

Kuba Ndop Royal Portrait Figure

Kuba (Bakuba) people, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Height: 27 cm

Carved wooden royal portrait figure (Ndop) depicting a seated Kuba king (nyimi) on a cylindrical base with geometric relief decoration. The figure is shown frontally with legs crossed and hands resting on the knees, holding an emblematic object representing the king’s ibol (personal symbol).

The head is surmounted by a flat, disk-like royal headdress above a patterned collar. The face is carved with almond-shaped, downcast eyes, arched brows with incised detail, a broad nose, and full lips. Scarification marks appear on the temples and forehead. The torso is adorned with carved armlets and a belt with cross-hatched motifs.

As with other Ndop figures, this sculpture represents the spiritual presence and kingship of a specific ruler rather than a literal portrait. Such figures served commemorative and courtly functions within Kuba royal tradition.

Rich dark brown patina with visible wear and a vertical age crack to the front of the base.