Grave figure "ntadi" (pl. "mintadi") ·  D. R. Congo, Lower Congo province / Northern Angola, Bambona · ID: 3049300

Description

steatit (soapstone),

The “ntadi” are said to be commemorative figures of highly respected persons that were placed on graves. Hence the designation of the figures as “bitumba” (sing. “tumba”). The figures are not lifelike portraits, but reflections of how their patrons wanted them to live on in memory.

It is unusual that here a female figure is represented in reflective posture “fumani”, which is usually reserved for male figures.

The object Grave figure “ntadi” (pl. “mintadi”) with the object ID 3049300 was last part of the auction 99th Auction at November 12, 2022 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 297.

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.

Comparing literature

Allison, Philip, African Stone Sculpture, New York 1968

Notices

This object is subject to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Export documents are required for export (subjected to a fee).