A Superb statue from the Teke tribe, DRC Congo. It is a superbly carved statue and is in great condition. The beard is given a stylised rectangular treatment. The eyes carved in an almond shape have a fixed stare which is supposed to see through appearances. The sculpture forcefully rendered the powerful expression of the statuettes face, whose gaze seems to pierce all obstacles of the visible world. The Teke live along the right bank of the lower Congo River. The many statuettes created by healers, the Nganga, represent ancestors or guardian spirits. Through their mediation, it is thought that this seer can overcome all the lills, all the problems that led an individusl to the Nganga's door. Physical disease or a more generalized malaise are often attributed to a malevolent spirit of a rodent or jungle cat that the healer must capture. To stop it from fleeing and doing harm once again, the healer imprisons it in a mixture of "medicines" that are thought to have magic powers.

Any questions or for many additional photos please email me. To save on shipping costs you are welcome to combine items form The Ebony Tree. Unfortunately some items are expensive to ship due to there size & weight. We only charge what it costs to mail parcels. All products from The Ebony Tree are spray treated for any parasites.