Kete Ndop Figure, D.R.Congo

Description of Significance: The Kuba kingdom, located in the southwestern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, consists of numerous ethnic groups, including the Kete. Among the Kuba's figurative wooden sculptures, the ndop (which translates to "statue") genre is reserved for the depiction of significant Kuba leaders. The facial expression, bodily posture, and ceremonial attire of these ndop sculptures were designed to epitomize the ideal of a king, rather than a particular individual. The sculpture featured here is a vintage reproduction of an original Ndop piece. Origin: Handcrafted for use in D.R. Congo Dimensions (in inches): Depth:2.5" Width: 2.5" Height: 7.5"  Materials:  Indigenous wood About Antique African Art: Hemingway Gallery regards antique African art as the best artistic expression of aesthetic beauty and storytelling throughout the known history of art. Aside from artistic taste, African art accrues value in different ways than other genres, including use