Yaka Wood Figures on Custom Base Congo
Width: 11.0
Depth: 10.5
Description
The present-day Yaka number approximately 300,000 and live along the Kwango River in the SW Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their neighbors are the Kongo, Teke, Zombo, Nkanu, Suku, Pindi, Mbala, Hugann, Holo, Chokwe, and so forth. They have a highly developed artistic sense---and they instill beauty and drama in even mundane objects. They are best known for the upturned noses found on initiation masks and diviner's fetishes, but their art can be abstract and vague as well. They sometimes create statues of considerable proportions. Though these normally are used by diviners and fall in the power figures or "fetish" category (M'bwoolo), the Yaka also carve large ancestor figures placed in the family shrines.
148524
Approximate Age: 20th Century
People: Yaka
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Material
Condition
Overall Condition: Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.