Mintadi. Soapstone sculptures of the Kongo peoples, produced in the region of the Lower Congo river, DRC Congo and Angola.

Mintadi. Soapstone sculptures of the Kongo peoples, produced in the region of the Lower Congo river, DRC Congo and Angola.

“Mintadi” (pl.), also known as "Ntadi" (sing.), or "Bitumba" (pl.) and "Tumba" (sing.), served as grave markers for important people and are also said to have been kept in the homes of chiefs. They depict kings and chiefs, often wearing royal "Mpu" caps, produced from raffia fibers. They also depict dignitaries and prominent traders, as well as seated mothers with a nursing child. 20th century Mintadi may even depict colonial subjects and equestrian figures.  

They are generally thought to have been produced between 1850 and 1930, in around 20 different workshops, although it has been suggested that some may be far older than that.