African graffiti figures; funeral figurine; “Thinkers' Watchers” - DR Congo (No reserve price)
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This early-19th-century DR Congo Mintadi (Ntadi) funerary figure, titled “Afrikaanse graffiguren; begrafenisbeeldje; ‘Denkers wakers’”, is made of soapstone and comes from a private collection.
AI-assisted summary
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 – Congo (Congo people) to Abdij Maria-Toevlucht in Zundert. In the 1980s they were taken over from my Father.
They are the so-called Mintadi (Ntadi) – Bitumba figures,
Also known as African carved figures; funeral figurine; “Thinkers watchers”. Made of soapstone.
Crossed legs in a seated position, a contemplative meditation pose.
Gifts placed by the community for respected elders. They had a role of protection and guardianship. In the culture of the Congo people, this signifies 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 against his cheek. Their posture expresses the concern of someone responsible for the future of his family, lineage, or clan. They preserve magical powers.
There are 15 different ones in the auction, last photo.
In 1996 from the inheritance of my father. His years-old piece, bought year after year from 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 – Congo (Congo people) to Abdij Maria-Toevlucht in Zundert. In the 1980s they were taken over from my Father.
They are the so-called Mintadi (Ntadi) – Bitumba figures,
Also known as African carved figures; funeral figurine; “Thinkers watchers”. Made of soapstone.
Crossed legs in a seated position, a contemplative meditation pose.
Gifts placed by the community for respected elders. They had a role of protection and guardianship. In the culture of the Congo people, this signifies 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 against his cheek. Their posture expresses the concern of someone responsible for the future of his family, lineage, or clan. They preserve magical powers.
There are 15 different ones in the auction, last photo.
In 1996 from the inheritance of my father. His years-old piece, bought year after year from 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
13.5 cm
Weight
0.5 g
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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