Power figure / Fetish altar - Biteki - Yaka - DR Congo
06
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 280 - € 330
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Kraftfigur / Fetisch-Altar (Biteki), a Yaka Nkisi from the Democratic Republic of Congo, dating to the early 20th century, in a woven basket with a stone knife, a lock and conch shells.
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Description from the seller
Very rare Yaka “Biteki” power figure – altar ensemble in a basket with stone knife, lock & conch shells – D.R. Congo
Description
An exceptionally expressive and highly complex ritual altar ensemble from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is presented. It is a finely carved power figure, known as Biteki, attributed to the Yaka people. These figures served personal, protective and ritual purposes and were traditionally anointed with spiritual substances.
Special features & details
Head & iconography: The artistically carved wooden head stands out with finely worked facial features and wears a distinctive crescent-shaped cap. A dense wreath of feathers decorates the neck area.
Korpus & charge: The body is fully and firmly wrapped with textiles or leather. Beneath lies the traditional ritual charge, giving the figure its spiritual meaning.
Basket & ritual objects: The figure sits in a woven basket, its sides decorated with animal hides. Inside is a firm, crusted layer of ritual substances and earth.
Accompaniments: On the side of the basket is mounted an archaic-looking stone knife. Additionally, an old, oxidized padlock lies loose in the basket.
Base: On the underside of the basket there are conch shells and a richly filled cloth sack.
Object data
Object: Power figure / Fetish altar (Biteki / Nkisi)
Region/Origin country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ethnicity / Tribe: Yaka
Material: Wood, leather/fabric, stone, iron (lock), feathers, conch shells, earth masses
Condition: Good condition with age-related patina and signs of use (see photos)
Condition & age
A rare older piece with developed patina, ritual crusts, and age- and use-related traces. The surface and materials convey a pronounced historical and ethnographic aura.
Dimensions
Height: 28 cm
Width: 20 cm
Depth: 20 cm
Shipping
Shipping is professionally packaged, fully insured and tracked via DHL.
Very rare Yaka “Biteki” power figure – altar ensemble in a basket with stone knife, lock & conch shells – D.R. Congo
Description
An exceptionally expressive and highly complex ritual altar ensemble from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is presented. It is a finely carved power figure, known as Biteki, attributed to the Yaka people. These figures served personal, protective and ritual purposes and were traditionally anointed with spiritual substances.
Special features & details
Head & iconography: The artistically carved wooden head stands out with finely worked facial features and wears a distinctive crescent-shaped cap. A dense wreath of feathers decorates the neck area.
Korpus & charge: The body is fully and firmly wrapped with textiles or leather. Beneath lies the traditional ritual charge, giving the figure its spiritual meaning.
Basket & ritual objects: The figure sits in a woven basket, its sides decorated with animal hides. Inside is a firm, crusted layer of ritual substances and earth.
Accompaniments: On the side of the basket is mounted an archaic-looking stone knife. Additionally, an old, oxidized padlock lies loose in the basket.
Base: On the underside of the basket there are conch shells and a richly filled cloth sack.
Object data
Object: Power figure / Fetish altar (Biteki / Nkisi)
Region/Origin country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ethnicity / Tribe: Yaka
Material: Wood, leather/fabric, stone, iron (lock), feathers, conch shells, earth masses
Condition: Good condition with age-related patina and signs of use (see photos)
Condition & age
A rare older piece with developed patina, ritual crusts, and age- and use-related traces. The surface and materials convey a pronounced historical and ethnographic aura.
Dimensions
Height: 28 cm
Width: 20 cm
Depth: 20 cm
Shipping
Shipping is professionally packaged, fully insured and tracked via DHL.
Details
Indigenous object name
Biteki
Ethnic group/ culture
Yaka
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Early 20th century
Material
kauri snails, Iron (wrought), Leather, Stone, Wood
Condition
Fair condition
Title of artwork
Power figure / Fetish altar
Authenticity
Original/official
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