Power figure ·  D. R. Congo, Teke · ID: 3048765

Description

wood, pigments, mass, fabric, copper wire, base

The Teke make a disctinction between the spirits of ancestors, which are present in “nkira” figures, and anonymous spirits, which inhabit “buti” figures.

It is not normally possible to classify a figure on the basis of its appearance. The difference between “nkira” and “buti” depends both on the components used and on the context in which the figure is used.

“Buti” figures were used for a wide range of purposes such as healing, protection against spells, ensuring good fortune in hunting or trading, the rapid acquisition of wealth or revenge.

The object Power figure with the object ID 3048765 was last part of the auction 98th Auction at March 26, 2022 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 99.

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

Grootaers, Jan-Lodewijk & Ineke Eisenburger (ed.), Forms of Wonderment, Vol. II, Berg en Dal 2002, p. 520