Small male figure ·  D. R. Congo, Yaka · ID: 3032544

Description

wood, middle brown patina, elaborate carved in clear and symmetrical arranged geometric forms, showing the typical Yaka hook-shaped nose, a cylindrical receptacle on the head, closed with a wooden stopper, fixed with leather strip and copper wire, rep. (nose), on block-like pedestal;
figures like the pesent one belonged to individuals. They served as containers for magical substances exercised by the experts against illness, to avenge sorcery and for supernatural assistance in hunting.

Comparing literature

Bacquart, Jean-Baptiste, The Tribal Arts of Africa, London 1998, p. 184 f.