Ancient anthropomorphic fetish / Democratic Republic of Congo / Mid 20th century

Ancient anthropomorphic fetish / Democratic Republic of Congo / Mid 20th century
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Old representation of a fetish depicting a female ancestor.
It is represented in a stylized, minimalist way, giving the room a strong presence. The fetish is in the form of a uniform block forming a rectilinear whole. The massive body is characterized by arms flattened alongside the body bending at right angles to the abdomen. The drooping, almost imperceptible chest as well as the deep wrinkles present on the forehead unmistakably symbolize a mature woman. Under these deep wrinkles take place two long slender almond eyes overhanging a small and flat nose. The triangular-shaped lower face offers refuge to a prognathic mouth and a tapered chin. The top of the skull is pierced with a small cavity to accommodate herbs and other prophylactic substances for the purpose of magico-religious protection.

In African culture, death, disease or disaster are never natural. They result from the harmful action of an enemy or from a failure with regard to the gods and ancestors. Good is in a way only the absence of evil, hence the importance of being constantly surrounded by an escalation of fetishes.

Condition: Beautiful shiny patina
Without base: 11.5 x 3. cm
Provenance: Former private Swiss collection

Ref: WIOBM8Z0GZ

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Location 38090, Villefontaine, France
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