Ancestor figure c. early 20th century

porcelain, sculpture, wood

website interface

2d character

imaginative character sketch

porcelain

3d character model

ui concept

sculpture

character design

child character design

character illustration

wood

character design for animation

3d character modeling

"Ancestor figure" is a small, intricately carved wooden sculpture created by the Beembe people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Dating back to the early 20th century, the figure stands with a distinctive posture, holding an object in one hand and a long, slender staff in the other. The surface is decorated with intricate geometric patterns and a stylized human face, highlighting the importance of ancestry and spiritual connection in Beembe culture. This piece, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, offers a glimpse into the rich artistic traditions of Central Africa.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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The knife and bottle (imported from Europe) are indications of authority, suggesting that this ancestor figure represents a high-ranking man, most likely a chief. The large feet—note the detailed toes—symbolize stability, while the small shards of white porcelain used for the eyes enhance the figure’s visionary power. Its true power, however, was hidden: the life force of the ancestor, imbued into the figure by inserting tiny remains of his corpse into a cavity near the rectum.