Description:

Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yaka people, ca. early 20th century CE. A fetish figure made from wood, cloth, rope, and raffia. A human-shaped wood figure painted a very dark, lustrous brown has been wrapped from the neck down in an apple-shaped ball of heavy textile. This is fastened with thin bands of rope and tied at the waist, with added raffia giving it a full look. Size: 4.5" W x 11.25" H (11.4 cm x 28.6 cm)

Fetish figures were made by a variety of cultures to fight evil spirits, heal sick family members, decide arguments, mark an important occasion or contract, or perform a variety of other tasks. These figures often show signs of use, because a priest or other type of holy person had to "activate" them using magical substances (like the red caked around the body of this one). What is inside the bundle? A CT scan of a similar Yaka bundle shows that it contains tacks, bamboo, bones of small animals, terracotta fragments, pebbles, a metal tube (possibly a bullet cartridge), a needle, a snail shell, an egg shell, and a seed. Without a similar scan or opening the bundle, we can only imagine what has been wrapped within this figure!

Provenance: Ex-private San Francisco, CA Collection

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#120664

  • Condition: Patina from handling on wood and fabric surfaces; some of the fabric area has small losses below the rope.

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March 2, 2017 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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