Bembe Standing Janus Figure on Custom Stand Congo

Bembe African art is a vibrant expression of the cultural legacy of the Bembe people, residing in regions across the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Burundi. Their artistic traditions encompass a diverse range of visual arts, including sculpture, mask-making, and more. With a population of 60 to 80,000, the Bembe, situated north of the Zaire River, possesses a social structure based on matrimonial clans and a close connection with ancestors, mediated by village chiefs. Their artistry emphasizes human forms, often portrayed with exaggerated features, carved from wood, and adorned with intricate designs. Bembe masks, integral to ceremonial occasions like funerals and rites, exhibit elaborate craftsmanship, incorporating beads, shells, and animal motifs. Complementing their visual art, Bembe music, characterized by percussion instruments and lively rhythms, intertwines with expressive dance forms. This artistry is a testament to the Bembe's cultural richness, serving as a crucial vessel for preserving their heritage and beliefs across generations.

From the Collection of Robert Pearson, Denver, Colorado

Bob Pearson began collecting African art later in his life. He was an engineer, inveterate climber, and long-time collector of books and paintings. Spurred by the Douglas Society at the Denver Museum of Art, and his friendship with noted collector George Heggarty, he began building an enormous, eclectic collection. His African art library grew to several hundred books. He loved textiles and cultural materials that had domestic use, like spoons, cups, stools, and chairs, as well as masks and carvings. His collection included items from more than thirty African countries, and his fine eye gave him pieces ranging from a gold dust scale to huge Dogon figural ladders. Africa Direct is honored to have been chosen to sell them.

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