An ancient and rare Nkira ancestor figure, representing a Ntswo e Mpuu chief. The figure is shown seated on the ground, legs bent, in an attitude signifying his power: one hand resting on his sex, the other on his beard - an insignia, along with his characteristic imwu hairstyle, of his rank as chief. Her rare style places her on the border of the Téké and Kongo cultural areas. The slender, stretched limbs, the importance of gesture and expression, and the open mouth over finely sculpted teeth link it to the style developed by Kongo sculptors. Téké, Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood, upholsterer's nails, two old collectors' labels on the back ("32 Vallerau" / "Fétiche du village de Niljoyo"), slight old wear, beautiful old patina from use and ritual. H. 37 cm Provenance : French private collection Bertrand Duchaufour Collection, France Marc Blanpain Collection, Brussels Publications and exhibitions: Lehuart, Les arts Bateke : Congo-Gabon-Zaïre, Collection Arts d'Afrique noire, Arnouville, AAN, 1996, p. 345, n° 93-11 Sotheby's, Paris, Art Africain et Océanien. Divers amateurs, June 15, 2004, no. 171 Binoche et Giquello, Paris, Arts d'Afrique, d'Océanie et des Amériques, July 23, 2020, no. 70 Giquello, Paris, Blanpain Collection, December 6, 2024, no. 33