Demi-figure "munsinju", env. 1920
R. D. Congo, Kasongo
Vendu
2 000 €
Provenance
Marc Leo Felix, Brussels, Belgium (field collected in the 1970s)Fred Jahn, Munich, Germany
Thomas Olbricht, Essen, Germany (1996)
Taille
H: 21 cm
H: 8.3 inch
Description
wood, kaolin, rest., base
The object bears a handwritten inventory number of Marc Leo Felix (“FC4 467”). The date of origin of the sculpture was set by him at 1920.
The object still carries parts of the magic charge in an opening in the head. It is completely covered with a rich sacrificial patina that is sticky in places.
According to Felix, this half figure is exceptional since “it depicts the simian icon incorporated in the human face”.
Half figures “munsinju” were either displayed on iron spikes or kept in baskets; they were the property of the magic priests “muganga”.