Janus-headed power figure "biteki" · D. R. Congo, Teke · ID: 3032322
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.
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
Lehuard, Raoul, Les arts Bateke, Arnouville 1996, p. 299