Female Half Figure

Kusu, Dem. Rep. of Congo
19th c.

Provenance: Craig Delora collection, New Jersey

On the banks of the Lualaba River, the territory of the Kusu borders those of the Luba and Hemba, whose artistic traditions and belief systems significantly influenced the Kusu.  Kusu artisans crafted a class of power figures, some janiform and others with a single aspect, like the present example. These figures represented ancestral spirits and were revered, honored through ritual offerings. This figure is an excellent example of its kind, featuring a prominent, powerful head, a solemn expression, and a substantial profile. While the torso and limbs are highly abstracted, the detailed rendering of the face shows a touch of naturalism. The rich, lustrous patina, resulting from regular ritual applications of palm oil, enhances this impression. At the top of the head is a cavity filled with a magical charge of organic materials. Prepared by a ritual practitioner, this charge is a vital substance that activates and empowers the statue to fulfill its magical functions.