Standing power figure "biteki" · D. R. Congo, Teke · ID: 3042279
German Private Collection, Berlin
Description
wood, brown patina, remains of pigments, the upper part of the body entirely wrapped in voluminous spherical package of clay-like mass, bearded head with tribe-typical parallel incisions, min. dam., insect caused missing parts (headgear), cracks, slight traces of abrasion, base;
these figures contain their magical power in a cylindrical package around their body, called “bilongo”, which holds the special ingredients designed according to the needs of the person in question. The Teke believe that magical wisdom can be swallowed and preserved in the stomach.
The object Standing power figure “biteki” with the object ID 3042279 was part of the auction 86th Tribal Art Auction on May 27, 2017. The object with the lot number 483 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,000 with an asking price of EUR 2,500.
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Publications
Bomann-Museum (Hg.), Afrikanische Kunst, Sammlung Robert Lewitzki, Celle 2012, p. 24