Luba or Luba-Shaba prestige tobacco pipe from the DRC is a refined and sculptural example of utilitarian court art. Carved from a single block of wood, the object features a kneeling female ancestor figure seamlessly integrated above the pipe bowl. The face features almond-shaped eyes, while her hand hold her breasts to symbolize the woman's role as a guardian of lineage secrets. Exhibiting an exceptional reddish dark brown handled patina with visible internal carbonization inside the bowl cavity. Date: early to mid-20th century Dimensions: 9.5 x 2.5 x 2. Condition: Good