Anthropomorphic power figure "nkishi" (pl. "mankishi") · D. R. Congo, Songye · ID: 3052055

Name: Anthropomorphic power figure "nkishi" (pl. "mankishi")
SKU: 3052055
Availability: Discontinued

Not available anymore

Provenance

Johannes & Ursula Kaddatz, Hamburg, Germany

Size

H: 87,5 cm

100 cm (with horn)

H: 34.4 inch

39.4 inch (with horn)

Description

wood, metal, reptile skin, fabric, glass beads, rest.

These large-scale “mankishi” acted as intermediaries between the spirits of the ancestors and the living. They were believed to benefit the entire community.

The figure still bears some of the paraphernalia with which it was once endowed by the magician and magically charged with accompanying incantations. The eyes are set with cone-shaped metal, forehead and bridge of the nose are covered with copper sheet, and the head is crowned by a “diadem” of metal pieces.

The object Anthropomorphic power figure “nkishi” (pl. “mankishi”) with the object ID 3052055 was last part of the auction Auction 105 at November 15, 2025 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 376.

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