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Figure (kiteki)
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<em>Biteki</em> is the generic name for Yaka figures used as containers for magical ingredients. After being charged by a ritual specialist, they become <em>minkisi</em>, or power objects, and gain the power to either cure or harm. This example, with various leadership accouterments, likely belongs to the category called <em>phuungu</em>. Placed inside a house, the statuette would have protected against witches and other evil.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Yaka-style carver |
|---|---|
| Date | late 1800s–mid-1900s |
| Culture / Origin | Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Yaka-style carver |
| Medium | Wood, lizard skin, leopard tooth, pods, cloth, and natural fiber |
| Dimensions | Overall: 23 cm (9 1/16 in.) |
| Department | African Art |
| Type | Sculpture |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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