Male figure with beard "ntanda" · D. R. Congo, Metoko · ID: 3041334
sold
EUR 2,500
Provenance
Poul Mørk, Copenhagen, Denmark (1960’s)Poul Mørk (1938 – 2013), Copenhagen, Denmark. Curator of the African Collections Departement at the National Museum of Denmark
Size
H: 45 cm
H: 17.7 inch
Description
wood, red and white pigment, traces of indigo blue (eyezone), face-, beard- and body halves alternately dyed in red or white, the whole body painted with dots (except the face), slightly dam., insect caused missing parts (above all left arm, base), cracks, base;
“ntanda” and its female counterpart “itea” are used in initiation rites and are brought out to keep the peace during disputes. Furtheron they are used as temporary receptacles for the souls of the departed during important funerals and are then broken and left in the forest.
Comparing literature
Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brussels 1987, p. 110