Janus power figure "mpwau" · D. R. Congo, Teke · ID: 3047178
not available anymore
Provenance
Kim Redlich, Düsseldorf, GermanySize
H: 44 cm
H: 17.3 inch
Description
wood, base
The Teke carved different kinds of power figures, which were provided with various magical substances and had different functions. They are usually called “biteke”.
This special Janus-shaped type of a power figure, was called “mpwau”, according to Felix, and belonged to a land chief’s regalia.
The object Janus power figure “mpwau” with the object ID 3047178 was last part of the auction 95th Tribal Art Auction at October 24, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 304.
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
Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brussels 1987, p. 173, fig. 6