Janus power figure "mpwau"
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Lot: 304
95th Tribal Art AuctionJanus power figure "mpwau"
D. R. Congo, Teke
| Provenance | Size | Starting price / estimated price |
|---|---|---|
| Kim Redlich, Düsseldorf, Germany | H: 17.3 inch | This object is not available anymore. |
wood, base
The Teke carved different kinds of power figures, which were provided with various magical substances and had different functions. They are usually called "biteke".
This special Janus-shaped type of a power figure, was called "mpwau", according to Felix, and belonged to a land chief's regalia.
Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brussels 1987, p. 172 f.
