TÉKÉ
TÉKÉ
Ancestor figurine
20th century.Height: 62 cm.An IR spectroscopy dating certificate (G. Matthaes patent) from the Museo d’Arte e Scienza, Milan, no. 6AF-3686, indicates the date as 1935 ± 8 years.Medium-weight wood with a dark brown patina. Brass nails for the eyes and forehead.The breasts are outlined by a triple chequered circle. The beard, a symbol of wisdom and authority, is slightly trapezoidal in shape. The forehead is domed, the mouth protruding. The central forehead area is covered with a grid-patterned tattoo distinctive of membership of a specific human group. The forehead, temples and cheeks are covered with fine, closely spaced vertical scarifications (mabina) signifying identity. The figure’s headdress, helmet-shaped with a wide, plaited cap falling down the nape of the neck, is reminiscent of the traditional hairstyle of Teke chiefs. The neck is powerful. The abdominal area is prominent (the seat of power) and sculpted in such a way as to accommodate a mixture of sacred substances (ritual earth, plants, the bones of ancestors or relics of a powerful figure).
TÉKÉ
Ancestor figurine
20th century.Height: 62 cm.An IR spectroscopy dating certificate (G. Matthaes patent) from the Museo d’Arte e Scienza, Milan, no. 6AF-3686, indicates the date as 1935 ± 8 years.Medium-weight wood with a dark brown patina. Brass nails for the eyes and forehead.The breasts are outlined by a triple chequered circle. The beard, a symbol of wisdom and authority, is slightly trapezoidal in shape. The forehead is domed, the mouth protruding. The central forehead area is covered with a grid-patterned tattoo distinctive of membership of a specific human group. The forehead, temples and cheeks are covered with fine, closely spaced vertical scarifications (mabina) signifying identity. The figure’s headdress, helmet-shaped with a wide, plaited cap falling down the nape of the neck, is reminiscent of the traditional hairstyle of Teke chiefs. The neck is powerful. The abdominal area is prominent (the seat of power) and sculpted in such a way as to accommodate a mixture of sacred substances (ritual earth, plants, the bones of ancestors or relics of a powerful figure).
