A rare and ancient mudziri (or muzidi) reliquary effigy, als - Lot 27

A rare and ancient mudziri (or muzidi) reliquary effigy, also known as a "festival body". Fabric idols such as this one, called mudziri by the Bembe, living north of their neighbors the Bwende, constitute a very special cult, and inevitably refer to the monumental reliquary dolls called niombo of the Bwende chiefs, but have absolutely no connection with their diminutive versions, all made for the colonists, or later for tourists, and their trade. In a fascinating article by Ragnar Widman on the great Niombo reliquary effigies of the Bwende (Arts d'Afrique No. 2, and translated by Raoul Lehuard), we read that Swedish ethnologist Karl Laman reports: "North of Kingoyi, among the Bembé, the bodies are first buried and, when decomposition is judged sufficient, the bones are exhumed and wrapped in what is called a 'festive body'. These are made in the attitude of a seated man with arms open like someone alive, and are tattooed with chalk and decorated with beads, etc...". "In the dwellings one usually finds one or two at a time, of these festive bodies". "Those who live there, with them, make offerings to them and pour palm wine before them, addressing prayers to them to obtain their blessing". The beautiful old mudziri effigy shown here is one of two in Jacques Viault's private collection. By way of comparison, the second mudziri in the Jacques Viault collection was exhibited at the major Fleuve Congo exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly and reproduced alongside another in the Musée du Quai Branly collections, both reproduced on pages 145 and 146 of the exhibition catalog. See: F. Neyt, Congo River, Musée du Quai Branly, 2010. Bembe, Republic of Congo Textiles, plant fibers, cotton, wood, cord and beads, visible wear, sacrificial materials including kola nuts, excellent general state of preservation. Height: 47cm Provenance: Jacques Viault Collection Jacques Viault Collection