Equestrian sculpture - Bakongo - DR Congo
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Current bid
€ 210
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
With almost a decade of experience bridging science, museum curation, and traditional blacksmithing, Julien has developed a unique expertise in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 400 - € 450
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 Bidder 1924 | €210 | |
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| Bidder 5928 | €15 | |
 Bidder 6930 | €10 | |
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A wooden equestrian Bakongo nkisi sculpture from the mid‑twentieth century, originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 35 cm high with a circular base, 1 cm deep and 1 cm wide, weighing 1 g, from a private collection, in excellent condition, presenting a masculine figure seated on a horse, a chest charged with a mirror, a circular bilongo receptacle, a hallucinogenic root in the mouth, and an aged brown‑black patina.
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Description from the seller
Bakongo Equestrian Sculpture – Congo Basin
Carved wood, ritual charges, antique patina
This rare Bakongo equestrian sculpture stands out for its powerful and highly symbolic iconography.
The male figure is depicted seated on his mount, a posture associated with authority, prestige, and mastery of visible and invisible forces. The whole rests on a circular base, reinforcing the stability and ritual function of the work.
The torso bears a ventral load carefully sealed with a genuine mirror, a fundamental element of the nkisi figures. This mirror, placed on the magical receptacle (bilongo), is intended to capture, contain, or reflect back spiritual forces, and to act as an interface between the world of the living and that of the spirits. The intact presence of this device greatly enhances the ritual and ethnographic interest of the sculpture.
The character holds in the mouth a hallucinogenic-root, a rare and significant element that evokes trance, divination, or communication with the invisible. This iconographic detail, associated with the charges, underscores the figure's active role in contexts of healing, protection, or ritual justice.
The surface shows an old brown-black patina, marked by use, handling and ritual applications. The whole constitutes an accomplished example of Bakongo nkisi sculpture, combining strong sculptural presence, symbolic legibility and authenticity.
Introduction to our expertise firm
Based in Belgium, our appraisal and sales house has been assisting collectors and families for many years, with a simple approach: seriousness, transparency and service. We enjoy a solid reputation among tribal art enthusiasts and are among the leading sellers on Catawiki, where we count ourselves among the oldest merchants (more than 8 years).
We have specialized in and overseen the liquidation and dispersal of dozens of family collections, and sold thousands of objects in partnership with private individuals, notaries, estates, inheritances, and collection liquidations. Our track record speaks for itself: several hundred evaluations approaching 100% positive feedback.
Pieces that have passed through our hands are today in prestigious collections and, for some, have joined museum institutions. We regularly offer no-reserve auctions.
Express shipping within 24 hours, secure packaging, insurance and tracking.
Contact 7 days a week, advice and documentation on request.
Bakongo Equestrian Sculpture – Congo Basin
Carved wood, ritual charges, antique patina
This rare Bakongo equestrian sculpture stands out for its powerful and highly symbolic iconography.
The male figure is depicted seated on his mount, a posture associated with authority, prestige, and mastery of visible and invisible forces. The whole rests on a circular base, reinforcing the stability and ritual function of the work.
The torso bears a ventral load carefully sealed with a genuine mirror, a fundamental element of the nkisi figures. This mirror, placed on the magical receptacle (bilongo), is intended to capture, contain, or reflect back spiritual forces, and to act as an interface between the world of the living and that of the spirits. The intact presence of this device greatly enhances the ritual and ethnographic interest of the sculpture.
The character holds in the mouth a hallucinogenic-root, a rare and significant element that evokes trance, divination, or communication with the invisible. This iconographic detail, associated with the charges, underscores the figure's active role in contexts of healing, protection, or ritual justice.
The surface shows an old brown-black patina, marked by use, handling and ritual applications. The whole constitutes an accomplished example of Bakongo nkisi sculpture, combining strong sculptural presence, symbolic legibility and authenticity.
Introduction to our expertise firm
Based in Belgium, our appraisal and sales house has been assisting collectors and families for many years, with a simple approach: seriousness, transparency and service. We enjoy a solid reputation among tribal art enthusiasts and are among the leading sellers on Catawiki, where we count ourselves among the oldest merchants (more than 8 years).
We have specialized in and overseen the liquidation and dispersal of dozens of family collections, and sold thousands of objects in partnership with private individuals, notaries, estates, inheritances, and collection liquidations. Our track record speaks for itself: several hundred evaluations approaching 100% positive feedback.
Pieces that have passed through our hands are today in prestigious collections and, for some, have joined museum institutions. We regularly offer no-reserve auctions.
Express shipping within 24 hours, secure packaging, insurance and tracking.
Contact 7 days a week, advice and documentation on request.
Details
Indigenous object name
Equestrian sculpture
Ethnic group/ culture
Bakongo
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Mid 20th century
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition
Height
35 cm
Width
1 cm
Depth
1 cm
Weight
1 g
Provenance
Private collection
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