Standing male figure · D. R. Congo, Metoko · ID: 3042759
Description
wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, angular forms, without feet rising from a round base, the whole body painted with dots, min. dam., crack (base), slight traces of abrasion, base.
Probably a figure called “ntanda”.“Ntanda” and its female counterpart “itea” are used in initiation rites and are brought out to keep the peace during disputes. Furtheron they are used as temporary receptacles for the souls of the departed during important funerals and are then broken and left in the forest.
The object Standing male figure with the object ID 3042759 was last part of the auction 87th Tribal Art Auction at November 11, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 438.
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Comparing literature
Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brussels 1987, p. 110