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African & Tribal Art :
Yaka, Teke : Teke Wooden Butti Ancestor Sculpture
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Teke Wooden Butti Ancestor Sculpture - PF.3601
Origin: Western Congo
Circa: 20
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
14" (35.6cm) high
x 4.625" (11.7cm) wide
Collection: African
Style: Teke
Medium: Wood and Textiles
$2,400.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
This specific type of sculpture is called butti.
Carvings of butti bear facial scarification patterns
identical to those of Teke men. They gain power
by the addition of organic material, bonga,
placed in a hollow cavity of the body or encased
in a mantle of clay that covers all but the head
and the legs. The figures are individually owned
and serve protective or healing functions.
Wearing a loincloth, this wonderful standing male
figure rests his hands gently on his belly.
Standing on large, minimally carved legs, he
seems serene and meditative. His hair is styled
in the center of his head and his face shows a
distinct scarification pattern and a beard. His
arms, kept close to his torso, show small holes
that suggest that this figure once had bonga
attached for attribution of healing and protective
power. Although the organic materials are lost
now, the power seems to have remained in the
sculpture. It emanates a mysteriously spiritual
essence that even the modern viewers cannot
escape. Privately owned for wishing well in
ancient times, this precious sculpture would no
doubt benevolently protect whoever owns it.
- (PF.3601)
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