Figure

Description

The cavity at the center of this sculpture’s torso would have been filled with special ingredients to enhance the figure’s medicinal efficacy. Teke sculpture is distinguished by the parallel lines incised on the forehead and cheeks of carved figures. This figure wears an elaborate coiffure or headdress and has a beard, suggesting elder status. Teke woodcarvers produce not only figurative sculptures but also divination objects, flywhisks, combs, and axes.