Teke, Dem. Rep. of Congo: A ‘biteki’ power figure with ‘magic ball’.
The Teke in central Congo use these power figures, called ‘biteki’, as magic protection especially against diseases. They believe that a ‘magic power’ rests in the body of these ‘biteki’. For this reason, these sculptures not only have a cavity for ‘magic substances’ in their abdominal area, but also a ‘magic ball’, called ‘bilongo’, tied to their waist. The present Teke biteki is made of light-coloured wood and coloured dark brown. The long, perfectly carved head features a characteristic Teke hairstyle and the typical tribal scarification marks running vertically across the entire face. The magic ball, ‘bilongo’, is wrapped in dark blue fabric, as are also the two little amulet bags with feathers sewn to the right and left sides. This blue fabric appears to be more recent than the wooden figure. This may have a practical explanation: from time to time, medicine men of the Teke people detach the bilongo balls from the their power figures, grinding the content – mostly earthy ‘magic substances’ – in order subsequently to sell it in small portions as ‘medicine’. This wooden ‘biteki’ power figure displays beautiful, old shiny patina and only very few, minor old pieces broken off. First half of the 20th century; H: c. 30 cm. (ME)
Provenance: French private collection.
Lit.: ‘The Tribal Arts of Africa’ by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, ill. p. fig. 2, 3, p. 135, fig. C.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Stima:
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EUR 2.400,- a EUR 3.000,-
Teke, Dem. Rep. of Congo: A ‘biteki’ power figure with ‘magic ball’.
The Teke in central Congo use these power figures, called ‘biteki’, as magic protection especially against diseases. They believe that a ‘magic power’ rests in the body of these ‘biteki’. For this reason, these sculptures not only have a cavity for ‘magic substances’ in their abdominal area, but also a ‘magic ball’, called ‘bilongo’, tied to their waist. The present Teke biteki is made of light-coloured wood and coloured dark brown. The long, perfectly carved head features a characteristic Teke hairstyle and the typical tribal scarification marks running vertically across the entire face. The magic ball, ‘bilongo’, is wrapped in dark blue fabric, as are also the two little amulet bags with feathers sewn to the right and left sides. This blue fabric appears to be more recent than the wooden figure. This may have a practical explanation: from time to time, medicine men of the Teke people detach the bilongo balls from the their power figures, grinding the content – mostly earthy ‘magic substances’ – in order subsequently to sell it in small portions as ‘medicine’. This wooden ‘biteki’ power figure displays beautiful, old shiny patina and only very few, minor old pieces broken off. First half of the 20th century; H: c. 30 cm. (ME)
Provenance: French private collection.
Lit.: ‘The Tribal Arts of Africa’ by Jean-Baptiste Bacquart, ill. p. fig. 2, 3, p. 135, fig. C.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Asta: | Tribal Art |
| Tipo d'asta: | Asta in sala |
| Data: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Luogo dell'asta: | Wien | Palais Dorotheum |
| Esposizione: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |