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<p>[QUOTE="2manybooks, post: 9610269, member: 8267"]I believe both of your objects may be from the Luba/Hemba people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Luba janus figures (with male and female figures back to back) are known as "kabejas". The pair represents the ancestor couple of each clan. The conical hat is typical, and the hole on the top would be filled with materials believed to have spiritual power. Here are some comparative examples -</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.antikeo.com/en/catalog/collectibles/tribal-art/african-tribal-art/african-statues/satuette-kabeja-makua-hemba-democratic-republic-of-congo-43551" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.antikeo.com/en/catalog/collectibles/tribal-art/african-tribal-art/african-statues/satuette-kabeja-makua-hemba-democratic-republic-of-congo-43551" rel="nofollow">https://www.antikeo.com/en/catalog/collectibles/tribal-art/african-tribal-art/african-statues/satuette-kabeja-makua-hemba-democratic-republic-of-congo-43551</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.african-arts-gallery.com/african-art/african-Statues/Hemba-Statue/25663" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.african-arts-gallery.com/african-art/african-Statues/Hemba-Statue/25663" rel="nofollow">https://www.african-arts-gallery.com/african-art/african-Statues/Hemba-Statue/25663</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/3304763/" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/3304763/" rel="nofollow">https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/3304763/</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.johnspecialobjects.nl/en_GB/a-81637196/wooden-statues/old-kabeja-makua-fetish-hemba-eastern-luba-dr-congo-ca-1940/#description" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.johnspecialobjects.nl/en_GB/a-81637196/wooden-statues/old-kabeja-makua-fetish-hemba-eastern-luba-dr-congo-ca-1940/#description" rel="nofollow">https://www.johnspecialobjects.nl/en_GB/a-81637196/wooden-statues/old-kabeja-makua-fetish-hemba-eastern-luba-dr-congo-ca-1940/#description</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Similar, smaller figures, both janus and single, are also used as personal protective amulets and have the receptacle in the top for magical substances. Of the two, your smaller figure appears to have a surface that may show accumulations consistent with use, and it may have been wrapped like the example from the British Museum (link below). Here are some with a style similar to your smaller figure -</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.proantic.com/en/1129898-statue-kabeja-of-the-luba-hemba-tribe-dr-congo.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.proantic.com/en/1129898-statue-kabeja-of-the-luba-hemba-tribe-dr-congo.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.proantic.com/en/1129898-statue-kabeja-of-the-luba-hemba-tribe-dr-congo.html</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1954-23-1203_1" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1954-23-1203_1" rel="nofollow">https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1954-23-1203_1</a></p><p><br /></p><p>I would suggest you not get too excited about any of the asking prices for the other examples. Yours are not finely carved, and the value of African artifacts is heavily dependent on artistic quality and documented history. There is also the possibility that your objects were made for sale, and have not actually been used in the culture of origin.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="2manybooks, post: 9610269, member: 8267"]I believe both of your objects may be from the Luba/Hemba people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Luba janus figures (with male and female figures back to back) are known as "kabejas". The pair represents the ancestor couple of each clan. The conical hat is typical, and the hole on the top would be filled with materials believed to have spiritual power. Here are some comparative examples - [URL]https://www.antikeo.com/en/catalog/collectibles/tribal-art/african-tribal-art/african-statues/satuette-kabeja-makua-hemba-democratic-republic-of-congo-43551[/URL] [URL]https://www.african-arts-gallery.com/african-art/african-Statues/Hemba-Statue/25663[/URL] [URL]https://www.dorotheum.com/en/l/3304763/[/URL] [URL]https://www.johnspecialobjects.nl/en_GB/a-81637196/wooden-statues/old-kabeja-makua-fetish-hemba-eastern-luba-dr-congo-ca-1940/#description[/URL] Similar, smaller figures, both janus and single, are also used as personal protective amulets and have the receptacle in the top for magical substances. Of the two, your smaller figure appears to have a surface that may show accumulations consistent with use, and it may have been wrapped like the example from the British Museum (link below). Here are some with a style similar to your smaller figure - [URL]https://www.proantic.com/en/1129898-statue-kabeja-of-the-luba-hemba-tribe-dr-congo.html[/URL] [URL]https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1954-23-1203_1[/URL] I would suggest you not get too excited about any of the asking prices for the other examples. Yours are not finely carved, and the value of African artifacts is heavily dependent on artistic quality and documented history. There is also the possibility that your objects were made for sale, and have not actually been used in the culture of origin.[/QUOTE]
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