Small seated figure · D. R. Congo, Bembe · ID: 3034634
Description
wood, middle brown patina, black paint, remains of kaolin, wearing a kind of belt made from plant fibres and cord, the eyes inset with porcelain, resin-like mass in the area of the head, small opening backside (“crypto fetish”), min. dam., slight traces of abrasion;
according to Lehuard the tattoos mark the identity of the depicted person as well as her social rank. The term “crypto-power figures” was introduced by William Fagg. The cavity served for insertion of magical loading by the “nganga”, the sorcerer.
Antique object over 100 years; artist and wood unknown, no cultural assets
The object Small seated figure with the object ID 3034634 was part of the auction 72nd tribal art auction on March 9, 2013. The object with the lot number 415 achieved a sales price of EUR 16,000 with an asking price of EUR 2,500.
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Comparing literature
Lehuard, Raoul, Art Bakongo, Les Centres de Style, o.O. 1989, p. 347, ill. G 3-1-4 (presumably a work of the same artist)