Miniature fetish ·  D. R. Congo, Bembe · ID: 3038451

Description

wood, slightly shiny brown patina, conical base, carved with two nearly identical modelled mask faces arranged “back to back”, grassfibre cuff, min. dam., small missing parts through insect caused damage (base), fine cracks, base;
the sculpture presumably represents “kalunga”, one of the aquatic spirits “miha”. The creation of such a figure was ordered by the soothsayer in order to counteract misfortune, which the spirit might inflict on the people. “Miha” received ritual chicken sacrifices to keep him well-disposed.

The object Miniature fetish with the object ID 3038451 was last part of the auction 79th Tribal Art Auction at March 21, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 387.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.

Comparing literature

Biebuyck, Daniel P., Statuary from the pre-Bembe hunters, Tervuren 1981, p. 153, ill. 42