Large power figure "nkisi/ nkishi" · D. R. Congo, Songe, Eki-Belande · ID: 3046632
Kevin Conru, London, Great Britain
Description
wood, animal horn, glass beads, encrusted patina, insect caused damage, base
This figure was once part of a pair of figures. Its counterpart was auctioned on November 25, 2006, as lot 275 at Zemanek-Münster.
Neyt assigned figures with comparable physiognomy, hairstyle, beard and physique to the Eki-Belande region (cf. Neyt, 2009, p. 66, ill. 25 and 27).
Because of its big size present figure should have once belonged to a village or a community. These sculptures were created mainly for the purpose of promoting the fertility of the people and the soil and to ensure peace in the village.
The object Large power figure “nkisi/ nkishi” with the object ID 3046632 was last part of the auction 94th Tribal Art Auction at March 7, 2020 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 346.
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Comparing literature
Neyt, Francois, The Formidable Statuary of Central Africa, Munich, Berlin, London, New York, 2009