Standing male figure "biteki" ·  R. D. Congo, Yaka · ID: 3035534

Description

wood, lusterless dark brown patina, traces of red pigment (“khula”), remains of kaolin, plaited plant fibre belt, fabric loincloth, feather ornament on the head, three antelope horns attached, two of them still containing magical loading, a charm around the neck, the shoulders spring from behind the neck-torso, accentuation of the Adam’s apple, the eyelids seem to be nearly closed, Yaka “snub nose”, slightly dam., cracks, rep. (left heel);
partially closed eyes are typical in this imagery that depicts elders in their role of mediating misfortune, sickness, and death in the past as in the present.