A Fine Yombe Power Figure, Democratic Republic of the Congo

the male figure standing with parted legs, the left hand reaching to the back, the right hand holding a root to the mouth, with glass inset eyes and mud cap; 'FX 95129' on bottom of base; fine varied dark brown patina with traces of a clay bundle on the abdomen.

Reportedly collected in situ by Frederick Barker, 1874-1877
Emile Deletaille, Brussels
Marceau Rivière, Paris
Private Collection, France
Pierre Dartevelle, Brussels
Marc Leo Felix, Brussels
Fred Jahn, Munich

Iowa City, The University of Iowa Museum of Art, Kilengi: African Art from the Bareiss Family Collection, March 27 - May 23, 1999 (for additional venues see bibliography, Roy 1997)
New Haven, Yale University Art Gallery, Call and Response: Journeys in African Art, December 15, 2000 - March 25, 2001

Emile Deletaille Antiquaire (advertisement), Arts d'Afrique Noire, No. 35, Automne 1980, p. 16
Arts d'Afrique Noire (ed.), "Les Expositions", Arts d'Afrique Noire, no. 40, Hiver 1981, p. 41
Raoul Lehuard, Art Bakongo, Les Centres de Style,1989, vol. II, p. 514, pl. X and p. 528, fig. J 12-1-6
Christopher D. Roy, Kilengi: African Art from the Bareiss Family Collection, Seattle, 1997, pp. 232-233 and 380, fig. 142, front and back cover
--, Kilengi. Afrikanische Kunst aus der Sammlung Bareiss, Hanover, 1997, pp. 236-237 and 385, fig. 142, front and back cover
Yale University Art Gallery (ed.), Call and Response: Journeys in African Art , New Haven, 2000, p. XI, fig. 2
Reinhard Müller-Mehlis, Der Sammler Walter Bareiss, Munich, 2005, pp. 3 and 13

good condition overall for an object of this type and early age; base broken and reattached, hairline crack through left side of face; castrated (most likely for moral reasons when collected by Europeans); small shafts of feathers stuck in mud cap; fine varied dark brown patina with traces of a clay bundle on the abdomen.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Roy (1997: 380, text to fig. 142) notes: "This magical power figure stands leaning slightly forward, as if poised to strike out against evil. They eyes are of glass. There are traces of extensive magical materials, now removed, on the abdomen. A large bundle of magical material remains intact on top of the head, and there is evidence that this bundle once held feathers, but these are now worn away. The figure's left hand rests firmly on his left buttock, and he holds a stalk of the medicinal plant called munkwisa (Zingiberaceae, ginger family) in his mouth. [...] The figure has unusual history, for it was collected by Frederick Barker, who accompanied Henry Morton Stanley on his bloody journey through the Congo in 1874-77."