Female power figure "nkisi", before 1904 ·  D. R. Congo, Vili · ID: 3046684

Description

wood, kaolin, residues of black paint, porcelain chips, brass (upholstery nails), rest.

The figure is certainly related to fertility, she clutches her breasts with both hands. Her mouth displays chipped theeth indicating her high social status.

At the back of the head is a round recess enclosing remnants of magical charge. It is framed by an unusual floral ornament. A comparable figure illustrated in Deimel/Seige (2012), p. 180.

The object Female power figure “nkisi”, before 1904 with the object ID 3046684 was last part of the auction 94th Tribal Art Auction at March 7, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 355 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,200.

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Comparing literature

Deimel, Claus & Christine Seige (Hg.), Minkisi, Berlin, München 2012, p. 180, ill. 72 f.