Fertility fetish - Kongo / Bakongo - DR Congo
01
day
10
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52
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37
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Starting bid
€ 1
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Description from the seller
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Kongo
Wood, patina of use.
Height: 390 mm + base 55 mm
Width: 110 mm
Depth: 90 mm
Original Kongo statuette (more precisely from the Yombe or Woyo sub-group, in the region of the Congo River mouth).
Here are the elements typical of its origin and use:
1. Kongo / Yombe stylistic markers
Several characteristic clues do not mislead:
The headdress (Mpu): This high rounded cap or mitre-shaped form represents the traditional raffia-fiber woven headdress, worn exclusively by clan chiefs or high-status women.
The gaze and the inlaid eyes: White eyes, often originally made with mirror fragments, glass or imported porcelain, are a major signature of Kongo art. They symbolize the figure’s ability to see beyond the visible world and to communicate with the realm of the dead (Mpemba).
The open mouth and carved teeth: One can discern the visible dentition through slightly parted lips, a common aesthetic and ritual practice in this region.
The kneeling posture: Unlike Baoulé statues which are almost always standing, the kneeling posture (or seated cross-legged) on a rectangular pedestal is very common among the Kongo. It is an attitude of respect, devotion, and dignity.
Geometric scarifications: The raised motifs on the shoulders and upper back are typical of Yombe female body adornments.
2. Sacred use and function
In Kongo culture, such a female statuette has an important ritual function:
Ancestor worship and fertility: These pieces (sometimes close to maternities figures called Pfemba, even if this one does not bear a child) embody the founding female ancestor of the lineage. The Kongo society being matrilineal, the woman is the pillar of the transmission of power and life.
Spiritual intermediary for the Nganga: This statue served as a receptacle or anchor for the spirits. It was used by the diviner-healer (the Nganga) during rituals aimed at curing fertility problems, protecting the community, or legitimizing the power of a clan chief.
Packages are sent from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France with Chronopost, 2 and 5 days throughout the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and around the world with International Colissimo.
We speak english
Mask african art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDemocratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Kongo
Wood, patina of use.
Height: 390 mm + base 55 mm
Width: 110 mm
Depth: 90 mm
Original Kongo statuette (more precisely from the Yombe or Woyo sub-group, in the region of the Congo River mouth).
Here are the elements typical of its origin and use:
1. Kongo / Yombe stylistic markers
Several characteristic clues do not mislead:
The headdress (Mpu): This high rounded cap or mitre-shaped form represents the traditional raffia-fiber woven headdress, worn exclusively by clan chiefs or high-status women.
The gaze and the inlaid eyes: White eyes, often originally made with mirror fragments, glass or imported porcelain, are a major signature of Kongo art. They symbolize the figure’s ability to see beyond the visible world and to communicate with the realm of the dead (Mpemba).
The open mouth and carved teeth: One can discern the visible dentition through slightly parted lips, a common aesthetic and ritual practice in this region.
The kneeling posture: Unlike Baoulé statues which are almost always standing, the kneeling posture (or seated cross-legged) on a rectangular pedestal is very common among the Kongo. It is an attitude of respect, devotion, and dignity.
Geometric scarifications: The raised motifs on the shoulders and upper back are typical of Yombe female body adornments.
2. Sacred use and function
In Kongo culture, such a female statuette has an important ritual function:
Ancestor worship and fertility: These pieces (sometimes close to maternities figures called Pfemba, even if this one does not bear a child) embody the founding female ancestor of the lineage. The Kongo society being matrilineal, the woman is the pillar of the transmission of power and life.
Spiritual intermediary for the Nganga: This statue served as a receptacle or anchor for the spirits. It was used by the diviner-healer (the Nganga) during rituals aimed at curing fertility problems, protecting the community, or legitimizing the power of a clan chief.
Packages are sent from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France with Chronopost, 2 and 5 days throughout the European Union.
Delivery in the rest of Europe and around the world with International Colissimo.
We speak english
Mask african art African mask art arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
Fertility fetish
Ethnic group/ culture
Kongo / Bakongo
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
