TEKE Standing Figure, Dem Republic of Congo/Zaire Start Price USD 350.00 Current Price USD 350.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, September 30, 2008 End Time Thursday, October 30, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'TEKE Standing Figure, Dem Republic of Congo/Zaire' Description Teke standing figure, DR Congo, Republic of Congo Type of Object: Carved sculpture People/Ethnic Group: TekeCountry of Origin: Democratic Republic & Republic of Congo Materials: Wood, pigment, metal pproximate Age: Mid 20th Century Dimensions: 20.5 inches Overall Condition: Good Damage, Repair: large crack in the lef side of the back, old repair in the buttock Additional Information: This figure is attributed to the Teke people who are today located in the Kwango River basin but are also found in a swath across the three countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the People’s Republic of the Congo and into Gabon. Their artistic activities are directed primarily to the carving of figures intended to have magical substances, known as Bonga, attached to them. Often called ‘fetishes’ in the West these powerful figures have different titles according to their purpose and who owns them. For example figures known as Matomba prevent and cure illnesses and other figures identified as nkira ntswo, represent ancestors and were used during a ritual to propitiate nature spirits. Figures are not considered complete or powerful until given energy through the application of the magical substances into the stomach cavity, or placed as a ball around the figure. This is a non-fetish figures, called "nkiba," are rare among the Teke, who use their famous magical figures, or fetishes, for a wide variety of purposes, from hunting talismans to fertility fetishes. The use of figures without magical additives is poorly understood. Teke diviners and chiefs will sometimes remove fetish materials, called "bonga," from a figure, either to release it for sale or to re-use materials that were proven to be effective. It is possible that our figure was a fetish originally, and then deactivated, although the even surface patina gives us little evidence of this. The carving of the head is particularly fine and powerful, and the old repairs indicate a piece of some importance to the owner.Recommended Reading: J. Cornet, A SURVEY OF ZAIREAN ART-THE BRONSON COLLECTION -C. Clarke, D. Binkley, B. Freyer and D. Newton. ‘A Personal Journey Central African Art From the Lawrence Gussman Collection’. 2001I have examined this piece and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.**032224** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!