Fetish - mbuti - Teke - DR Congo
09
days
10
hours
44
minutes
27
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 2,200 - € 2,500
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 127239 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Fetish wooden anthropomorphic figure from the Teke of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dating to the late 19th century, offered with stand and provenance from an auction house, with dimensions 26.5 cm high, 5 cm wide and 5.5 cm deep (height on stand 29 cm); condition Excellent.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Superb figure "mbuti" Teke
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Height: 26.5 cm
Max width: 5 cm
Height on base: 29 cm
Estimated period: late 19th century
Provenance: Patrick Peire (Bruges); André Vanhecke (The African Connection gallery); Scott Bergmans (Lommel); Bonhams - Cornette de St-Cyr Auction House (Brussels) Lot No. 98
Among the Teke people, fetishes occupy a prominent place. Their use, based on magic, rests on notions of buti. Of anthropomorphic form, they are used to heal illnesses, to ensure fertility, to protect, or to promote hunting and fishing. The cavity allows the diviner, the nganga, to imbue the statue with ingredients and magical substances—formerly covered by a matrix of earth—in order that it may guarantee its prerogatives.
This very beautiful Teke fetish, rarely so well preserved, will be sold together with its Bonhams invoice at the buyer's request.
Delivery guaranteed by Bpost
Superb figure "mbuti" Teke
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Height: 26.5 cm
Max width: 5 cm
Height on base: 29 cm
Estimated period: late 19th century
Provenance: Patrick Peire (Bruges); André Vanhecke (The African Connection gallery); Scott Bergmans (Lommel); Bonhams - Cornette de St-Cyr Auction House (Brussels) Lot No. 98
Among the Teke people, fetishes occupy a prominent place. Their use, based on magic, rests on notions of buti. Of anthropomorphic form, they are used to heal illnesses, to ensure fertility, to protect, or to promote hunting and fishing. The cavity allows the diviner, the nganga, to imbue the statue with ingredients and magical substances—formerly covered by a matrix of earth—in order that it may guarantee its prerogatives.
This very beautiful Teke fetish, rarely so well preserved, will be sold together with its Bonhams invoice at the buyer's request.
Delivery guaranteed by Bpost
Details
Indigenous object name
mbuti
Ethnic group/ culture
Teke
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Late 19th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Excellent condition
Title of artwork
Fetish
Height
26.5 cm
Width
5 cm
Depth
5.5 cm
Provenance
Auction house
Sold by
