KUYU / KOUYOU, Congo Basin (Republic of Congo, neighboring a - Lot 164

KUYU / KOUYOU, Congo Basin (Republic of Congo, neighboring areas), 20th century. Standing male statue with bent legs and round belly. The arms run elegantly along the body; the torso is punctuated by chevron-shaped scarification marks. The face, with its protective yet vigorous expression, is enlivened by an open mouth showing teeth; the almond-shaped eyes respond to the linear scarification marks on the forehead and temples. The headdress is embellished with friezes of brass nails; the ankles are belted with metal ornaments. Wood, yellow, red and white ochre pigments, old brown patina, brass nails, metal elements (brass or copper), wear marks. Dimensions : H. 88 cm Provenance: Sotheby's sale (Nov. 30, 1981); ex Ludewig Breischnijder; ex Alfons Bermmel, Germany. The Kuyu/Kouyou (Cuvette region, Congo Basin) developed a statuary in which the affirmation of the body, scarification marks and metal ornamentation concentrate values of identity and status. Here, the balance between frontality, leg tension and torso graphism gives the figure an authoritative presence, reinforced by the studded headdress and anklets, visual signs of prestige.