Description:

Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Songye or Tetela culture, ca. late 19th to mid-20th century CE. A figure carved from a block of wood, with a long neck, a large head relative to the body, a distended belly, and a prominent phallus. The figure's head is carved with simple features and a heavy brow line. It has been carved to stand on flat feet on a round block. Comes with custom stand. Size: 3.25" W x 14.7" H (8.3 cm x 37.3 cm); height on stand: 16.8" (42.7 cm)

Like other Bantu culture groups, the Songye and Tetela people carve power figures called "minkisi", used to call upon supernatural forces for assistance. These sculptures are commissioned by a client and are bespoke, made by a sculptor/diviner known as a "nganga" to fit the desires and prayers of the client. As a result, although they are generally columnar in form, they have an almost infinite variation from that basic style.

Provenance: New York City, New York, USA collection

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#123291

  • Condition: Dark wood patina, with expected age wear to wood. Stable age crack down side of head to neck.

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May 18, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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