Fine African Art Auction
Lot 215:
Wood, Mixed Bonding Materials. Republic of Congo
Height 17 inches, diameter 6 inches. Some loss to the facial details, and foot.
Teke chiefs commissioned large protective figures; individuals owned smaller images such as this one, to be made for personal empowerment or healing. The sharp beard, narrow facial scarification, and brimmed hair style contrast with the smooth encasement of empowering materials.such figures usually acquired their special properties when a nganga added activating substances ( mainly organic materials) into a body cavity. In this case a protruding metal with animal whiskers adds even more potency to the clay and sand mantle.
Share this lot:
