Janus-headed power figure "biteki" · D. R. Congo, Teke · ID: 3032322

Name: Janus-headed power figure "biteki"
SKU: 3032322
Price: 700 EUR
Availability: SoldOut

sold EUR 700

Provenance

Werner Krauß, Vienna, Austria

Size

H: 41 cm

H: 16.1 inch

Description

light brown wood,pokerwork, both sides with rectangular cavity for insertion of magical mass, the bearded janiform head with vertical scarifications and sickle-shaped headgear, min. dam., missing part (foot tip), cracks;
such power figures served as patron for hunting and should protect against diseases and evil spirits. Their magical power was kept in a cylindrical package, called “bilongo”, which includes the special ingredients put together according to the needs of the person in question. The package was fixed at the abdomen because to the Teke, magical wisdom can be swallowed and preserved in the stomach.

The object Janus-headed power figure “biteki” with the object ID 3032322 was last part of the auction 68th tribal art auction at March 3, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 143 achieved a sales price of EUR 700.

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