Yombe ensemble, a village belonging to the large Bakongo family, which stands out from its neighbors for its artistic sense. It depicts a man holding or placing a child on the back of an animal. The image can have several interpretations. The man, possibly the father, is transmitting values or skills to new generations; the animal may symbolize learning how to interact with nature. It can also signify the father's protection of the son, connecting him with a spirit or protective force symbolized by the animal, which could be an invocation for divine protection: the child under the care of higher powers. It could also symbolize an initiation rite, a crucial moment in the child's life, when he is introduced to the mysteries of life or initiated into a group or secret society, the animal as a symbol of the trials he must overcome. It could also be a particular story or legend of the clan or family where the animal is a key emblem or character in the group's narrative.

The scene rises above its own circular base. The male face stands out, executed meticulously and realistically, with almond-shaped eyes and well-defined nose and lips, his head crowned with a cap, typical of important people. This expressiveness contrasts with the treatment of the rest of the body, lacking feet (which may suggest the high social status of the character or his position of authority) and poorly worked, while also evoking a sense of rigidity. The figure of the child is disproportionate, rough, and with a barely suggested face; the animal receives the same treatment, carved schematically.

The Yombe sculpture is characterized by a naturalistic realism expressed through the minimal use of details, giving exclusive priority to the face and relegating the rest of the human body to a completely secondary plane.

This is an exceptional piece; the scene is uncommon, and representations of parents interacting with their children are not very frequent in African statuary.
Conservation status: Signs of wear and tear from use and the passage of time that do not affect the integrity of the piece. Cracks due to desiccation, fissures and fractures, with volume loss at the base. Signs of woodworm activity are observed. Very dark matte patina with lighter areas, a good indicator of its authenticity and traditional use.
"Realism and schematism come together in a unique iconography"

YOMBE COMPLEX
R.D. Congo 20th century

The piece shows signs of wear and tear and cracks due to desiccation, fissures and fractures with volume loss at the base, in addition to traces of wood-boring insects and a dark matte patina with lighter areas, evidencing its authenticity and traditional use.

Originating from the Yombe ethnic group of the DRC in the early 20th century, this collection reflects the Bakongo artistic tradition, where art is used to convey values, symbolize rites of passage, and invoke spiritual protection. Its unique iconography highlights the importance of family and interaction with nature in the Yombe worldview.