African graffiti figures; funeral figurine; “Thinkers' Watchers” - DR Congo (No reserve price)
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This 15.5 cm soapstone Mintadi (Ntadi) figure, titled “Afrikaanse graffiguren; begrafenisbeeldje; ‘Denkers wakers’”, is from DR Congo and comes from a private collection.
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Description from the seller
Due to tribal wars along the border region between Congo and Angola, these sculptures were shipped by Benedictine missionaries in the 1960s/1970s from Zaire – Kinshasa, Republic of Congo (Congolese population) to the Abdij Maria-Toevlucht in Zundert. In the 1980s they were taken over from my father.
They are so-called Mintadi (Ntadi) – Bitumba figures, also known as African figural figures; funeral figurines; "Thinkers' watchers". Made from soapstone. Crossed legs in a seated position, a contemplative meditation posture. Gifts placed by the community for respected elders. They had a role of protection and watchfulness. In the culture of the Congo people, this signifies the contact between the living and the dead (spirits). An embodiment of a deceased person takes the form of a thinking figure, often with his left hand pressed to his cheek. Their posture expresses the concern of someone responsible for the future of his family, lineage, or clan. They preserve magical powers.
Fifteen different ones are in the auction, see the last photo.
From the estate of my father since 1996. Over the years, piece by piece purchased from the Abdij Maria-Toevlucht, Rucphenseweg 38, 4882 KC Zundert.
Due to tribal wars along the border region between Congo and Angola, these sculptures were shipped by Benedictine missionaries in the 1960s/1970s from Zaire – Kinshasa, Republic of Congo (Congolese population) to the Abdij Maria-Toevlucht in Zundert. In the 1980s they were taken over from my father.
They are so-called Mintadi (Ntadi) – Bitumba figures, also known as African figural figures; funeral figurines; "Thinkers' watchers". Made from soapstone. Crossed legs in a seated position, a contemplative meditation posture. Gifts placed by the community for respected elders. They had a role of protection and watchfulness. In the culture of the Congo people, this signifies the contact between the living and the dead (spirits). An embodiment of a deceased person takes the form of a thinking figure, often with his left hand pressed to his cheek. Their posture expresses the concern of someone responsible for the future of his family, lineage, or clan. They preserve magical powers.
Fifteen different ones are in the auction, see the last photo.
From the estate of my father since 1996. Over the years, piece by piece purchased from the Abdij Maria-Toevlucht, Rucphenseweg 38, 4882 KC Zundert.
Details
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Early 19th century
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
African graffiti figures; funeral figurine; “Thinkers' Watchers”
Height
15.5 cm
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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