SKU: 157314
Kusu Wood Figure Congo Rohner Collection
Height: 13.25
Width: 5.5
Depth: 6.0
Width: 5.5
Depth: 6.0
$45.00
Description
Antique Kusu Male Ancestor Power Figure from DRC
An exceptional, finely carved wooden Kusu ancestral power figure originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Strikingly representative of the Kusu artistic lexicon, this sculpture exhibits a profound aesthetic overlap with neighboring Hemba and Luba stylistic traditions.
The figure depicts a standing male perched on an integrated circular base. It showcases a highly expressive, contemplative visage characterized by prominent heavy-lidded slit eyes, a straight geometric nose, and a tranquil mouth. A defining trait of this piece is its large, beautifully sculpted, backward-swept coiffure. The hands rest symmetrically across the torso, emphasizing the midsection, which is typical of ancestral devotion pieces from this region. The wood displays an authentic, heavily aged, and deeply encrusted dark brown patina, revealing substantial wear consistent with genuine ritual use and age.
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 #404 on pg. 177
Height: 13.25
Width: 5.5
Depth: 6.0
One Hand is broken off. Nose is chipped. Cracks on the head, back, and base.
157314
Approximate Age: 20th Century
People: Kusu
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Material
Material: Wood
Condition
Damage/Repair: One Hand is broken off. The nose is chipped. Cracks on the head, back, and base. Displays natural age-related fissures, surface weathering, and a rich, authentic ritual patina that elevates its character. Surface wear and dirt. See pictures for details.
Overall Condition: Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners
Overall Condition: Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners