Figure magique janiforme "mpwau"
R. D. Congo, Teke
Vendu
1 000 €
Provenance
Werner Krauss (1884-1959), Vienna, AustriaZemanek-Münster, Würzburg, 3 March 2012, Lot 143
Taille
H: 41 cm
H: 16.1 inch
Description
wood, base
This beautiful Janus figure with a crescent-shaped crested hairstyle shows a male and a female side. The large depressions in the torsos were used by the magician “nganga” to insert magical ingredients “bilongo” (cf. AHDRC 0172752).
Lehuard, who discovered some of these rare Janus-shaped power figures, found them each time on influential people and religious leaders. His research in the field confirmed that the possession of these figures was the sole prerogative of great leaders (Lehuard,1974, p. 83).
Littérature comparée
Lehuard, Raoul, Statuaire du Stanley-Pool, Villier-le-Bel 1974, p. 83, ill. 37Publications
AHDRC: 0146218