YAKA power figure - else - DR Congo (No reserve price)

This monumental object is an exceptional example of traditional Congolese ritual art. It concerns a assembled wooden master sculpture to which a smaller, secondary power image (fetish) has been skillfully bound with thick strands of plant lianas and tree bark fibers. This type of composite figures was created and activated by a ritual specialist (nganga) to multiply the spiritual power of the main object.

The shown detail image displays the classic, powerful facial features of the Yaka style, with almond-shaped eyes, a prominent, lightly upturned nose and a characteristic hairstyle.

Ritual attributes: The corpus is wrapped in dense bundles of textile and plant fibers. On the sides there are magical charms and remnants of feathers, which served as conduits for the spiritual energies.
Patina: the entire object shows an authentic, thick and crusty reddish-brown patina. This deep layering is the direct result of repeated use during tribal ceremonies, during which the figure was anointed with offerings such as palm oil and tukula powder.

This impressive sculpture radiates a tremendous presence and forms an absolute eye-catcher for collectors of authentic tribal art from Central Africa.