Fetish - mbuti - Teke - DR Congo

• Ancient Teke mbuti figure

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Dimensions: 26.5 × 5 cm (29 cm on base)

• Period: end of the 19th century

• Provenance: Patrick Peire (Brugge); André Vanhecke (The African Connection gallery); Scott Bergmans (Lommel); Auction house Bonhams - Cornette de St- Cyr (Brussels) Lot no. 98

— In Teke country, fetishes occupy a preeminent place. Their use, based on magic, rests on the 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 with a matrix of earth – so that it can guarantee its prerogatives.

— This very beautiful Teke fetish, rarely as well preserved, will be sold with its receipt from the Bonhams auction house.
There is, of course, no doubt about its authenticity, hence its rather high price.

— Careful and insured delivery with tracking number (Bpost)