KONGO / VILI Republic of the Congo, Democratic... Lot 23

KONGO / VILI Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood part: 26cm tall, 36cm tall in total Magic figure. Painted wood covered in magical substances. Shell necklace, bird feathers, pieces of glass on the eyes. This depicts a magic figure used by a sorcier (nganga) who conducted magic, religious and divination rituals. To make the sculpture active, he would place magic substances inside the receptacles deliberately placed on the statuette’s body.The sculpture, requested by its owner, was accompanied by ritual formulas which were articulated by the sorcerer.The figure is positioned facing forwards with its body enshrouded in cloth. It is standing on a circular base. Its eyes are protected with pieces of white ceramic. The head is covered with the characteristic headdress common among the people who lived in the region. The open, toothless mouth is depicted passing a verdict, and its ears are sculptured in the shape of the number 9, following tradition. Publications: KERNEVEZ ALAIN “AFRICA, Begegnungen- Rencontre - Encounters” Paris, 2000, pag. 25; PROVENANCE Collection of Walter Schwab, Bern (inv. WS 405) (1969); NOTE Lot not located at Finarte offices but in Switzerland. It could be subject to customs costs related to the importation into the buyer’s country. In any event, any customs cost and/or burden related to importation shall be borne by the buyer. For more information, please write an email to arteafricana@finarte.it LITERATURE LEHUARD RAOUL, Art Bakongo: le centre de style, Arnouville, France 1989, volume II° (233); KERNEVEZ ALAIN, AFRICA, Begegnungen- Rencontre - Encounters, Paris, 2000, pag. 25;