Head fragment of a power figure "nkisi"

Description

light wood, small remains of brown patina, a concave vaulted face with waisted sides and projecting chin, nose and mouth carved in geometrical forms, eyes just rudimentary preserved, the strong neck cut, the surface structure extremely marked by insect causded damage (the head hollowed), old collection label backside “Mathias Komor Works of Art C 607 - New York”, metal socle;
the head should once have been part of a big figure, which belonged to a village or a community. These sculptures are created above all to promote fecundity and fertility or to insure tranquility in the village. Most frequently they bear the names “ya ntambwe” (lion) or “ya nkima” (monkey). Often these are the priestesses entrusted with their care and their appearances, particularly during the ceremonies of the new moon (the moon is regarded as the fecund principle).