Initiation rattle "ntafu mahangu" · D. R. Congo, Bakongo · ID: 3038905

Name: Initiation rattle "ntafu mahangu"
SKU: 3038905
Availability: Discontinued

not available anymore

Provenance

Yann Ferrandin, Paris, France

Size

H: 37 cm

H: 14.6 inch

Description

wood, spotty, slightly encrusted patina, carved with two figures arranged back-to-back, dam., missing parts (right arm), traces of insect caused damage, traces of abrasion;
this rattle was an emblem for the initiation camps of young boys called “nkimba”. The back-to-back position stands for duality, refers to this world and the world of the spirits. The rattle was affixed on top of a vessel filled with water symbolizing the passage from the world of the living into the world of the dead.

The object Initiation rattle “ntafu mahangu” with the object ID 3038905 was last part of the auction 80th Tribal Art Auction at June 27, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 409.

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