Hemba wooden staff topper or finial representing a male face

A beautifully carved Hamba ancestor figure representing a male face with a ring shaft.

The dominant feature of this piece is the carved face adorning the handle. It probably represents an ancestor or a symbolic guardian spirit, offering protection or guidance to the staff's wielder.

While the carved face undoubtedly holds symbolic significance, the staff handle itself was likely a functional object. It could have been used as a symbol of authority, or even as a ceremonial implement.

The Hemba people are a Bantu ethnic group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), primarily inhabiting the region between the Congo (Lualaba) River and Lake Tanganyika. They are globally renowned for their masterful, serene wooden ancestor sculptures, which embody the highest moral qualities and their matrilineal heritage.

Country: Democratic Republic of Congo
Date: 20th Century
Material: Wood 
Height: 15 cms 

Condition:
Traces of usage, split wood on one side. Beautiful patina.