Grave figure "ntadi" · D. R. Congo, Yombe · ID: 3052635
Sold
EUR 2,000
Provenance
Private CollectionPierre Loos, Brussels, Belgium (2001)
Guy van Rijn, Brussels, Belgium
Dutch Private Collection
Size
H: 58,5 cm
H: 23.0 inch
Description
steatit (soapstone), pigments, base
A similar figure, probably from the same workshop, see AHDRC 0020048.
These stone sculptures are idealized portraits and were placed on the graves of highly respected people. They are known as “bitumba” (sing. “tumba”). They are considered the seat of the dead spirits, who offered protection and are called “ntadi” (pl.“mintadi”).
The object Grave figure “ntadi” with the object ID 3052635 was last part of the auction Auction 105 at November 15, 2025 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 382 achieved a sales price of EUR 2,000.
You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.
Publications
AHDRC: 0019983