Bene Lulua Male Figure On Custom Base Congo Rohner Collection

This Bene Lulua male figure is a finely carved example of the sculptural traditions of the Lulua peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The figure displays the characteristic elongated proportions and carefully modeled facial features often seen in Lulua figural sculpture. The polished surface and detailed carving give the figure a strong presence, emphasizing the importance of the human form within Lulua artistic traditions.

Lulua figures were associated with ideas of ancestry, identity, status, and protection, and were often created with carefully rendered details and distinctive surface treatments. The Bene Lulua are a subgroup of the larger Lulua cultural sphere of the Kasai region, known for their highly expressive and sophisticated wood sculpture.

Provenance: John R. Rohner Collection
Rohner, a museum curator for decades, aimed his practiced eye for authenticity to African art beginning in the early 1980s. His passion for this art only grew through the decades he built his collection––always with an aim for a broad and representative array of pieces. The collection appears in his book, Art Treasures from African Runners (2000, University Press of Colorado). 

Item #417 on pg 181

Shows surface scratches, scuffs, and areas of wear consistent with age and handling. There is a hole/crack through the right leg, Minor losses and wear are present in areas of the carving. No large damage or major repairs are visible. See photos for more details.

On Custom Base.

Height (In): 21.5
Width (In): 5.5
Depth (In): 5.25