Standing female figure "pindi" · D. R. Congo, Mbala · ID: 3035602
Alex van Opstal, Brussels, Belgium
Description
wood, brown patina, black paint in some areas, crude carved (arms, shoulders, form of the face), crested coiffure with neck lobe, linear incisions on the cheeks, drilled pupils, deep drilled holes in the ears, slightly dam., minor missing parts (crest), cracks;
“pindi” is the general name for figures of the Mbala, which were usually part of the chief’s treasure. Present figure could have been part of a male/female pair that “nganga” used for healing ceremonies.
The object Standing female figure “pindi” with the object ID 3035602 was last part of the auction 74th tribal art auction at September 7, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 378.
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Comparing literature
Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brussels 1987, p. 102 f.