Teke Carved Wooden Male Figure On Custom Base Congo Rohner Collection

This carved wooden male figure is attributed to the Teke people, also known as the Bateke, an ethnic group originating in the regions surrounding the Congo River and extending into parts of the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gabon. Traditionally, Teke communities relied on agriculture, hunting, fishing, and trade, with family and community relationships playing important roles in social life.

Teke spiritual beliefs include Nzambi, a supreme creator being, as well as tutelary spirits that serve as intermediaries between people and the spiritual world. Carved figures and other objects formed part of the broader artistic traditions of Central Africa, reflecting the importance of spiritual beliefs and cultural practices in everyday life.

Mounted on a custom display base, this male figure showcases the sculptural traditions of the Teke people and offers an interesting example of Central African woodcarving.

Provenance: John R. Rohner Collection
Rohner, a museum curator for decades, aimed his practiced eye for authenticity to African art beginning in the early 1980s. His passion for this art only grew through the decades he built his collection––always with an aim for a broad and representative array of pieces. The collection appears in his book, Art Treasures from African Runners (2000, University Press of Colorado). 

Item #570 pg 220

Height: 15.5
Width: 4.25
Depth: 5.25

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