Power figure "iteo" · D. R. Congo, Teke · ID: 3048669
Description
wood, clay, rest. (right foot), missing parts
With the present figure, the body is almost completely hidden under an oversized inverted clay cone, with only the head and legs protruding.
According to Lehuard, this type of figure is called “iteo” or “fouiti” (in Kikongo) by the Teke (Lehuard, 1974, p. 142). The mass is said to consist of white earth kneaded with special herbs, which the Teke call “maka”. “Iteo” embodies the spirit of fortune and happiness (“ngankouya”) and sometimes the spirit of a deceased person.
In a later publication Lehuard refers to a statuette called “iteo” as a figure that is supposed to bring luck and wealth (Lehuard 1996, p. 284, 18.2.1).
Comparing literature
Lehuard, Raoul, Statuaire du Stanley-Pool, Villier-le-Bel 1974, p. 142, ill. 78 Lehuard, Raoul, Les arts Bateke, Arnouville 1996, p. 284, 18.2.1