Janiform magical figure "kabeja" · D. R. Congo, Luba/Kusu · ID: 3042132

Name: Janiform magical figure "kabeja"
SKU: 3042132
Availability: Discontinued

not available anymore

Provenance

Ketterer, Munich, 13 November 1982, lot 365
Bernhard Jäger, Frankfurt a. M., Germany

Size

H: 28 cm

H: 11.0 inch

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, male and female, triangular faces with slanting eyes, dam. (nose), insect caused missing parts (legs, left arm of the female), rep. (missing part filled with clay-like mass), crack, base;
“kabeja” figures are seen as visual icon of the primordial couple, the founders of the society. They are owned by the clan head known as the “fumu mwela”. “Kabeja” figures are presented at clan meetings led by the chief. They were used by individuals for multiple purposes: to ensure good relationship with primordial ancestors, to bring fertility and to protect against evil forces.

The object Janiform magical figure “kabeja” with the object ID 3042132 was last part of the auction 86th Tribal Art Auction at May 27, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 145.

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.