Power half figure "nkisi" · D. R. Congo, Tetela · ID: 3033061
Joseph Christiaens, Brussels, Belgium
German Private Collection
Description
wood, encrusted reddish brown patina, textile loincloth, vestment and coiffure of animal skin, stylized facial features indicated by copper sheet, two staffs attached, min. dam., minor missing parts, on wooden base;
the Tetela live in central Zaire, artistically they can be divided in the Northern and the Southern Tetela, the first group influenced by the Mongo, living in the rain forrest, and the second group influenced by the Songe, living in Savannah area. Present figure clearly shows the influence of the “nkisi” figures of the Songe.
The object Power half figure “nkisi” with the object ID 3033061 was last part of the auction 69th tribal art auction at June 2, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 440 achieved a sales price of EUR 4,000.
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Publications
BRUNEAF XII, 11. 06. 2002, p. 32; Kevin Conru, Primitive Art, Brussels 2002, ill. 15
Exhibition
BRUNEAF XII, 11. 06. 2002