Male power figure "nkis nkondi" · D. R. Congo, Yombe · ID: 3048925
Mark Eglinton, New York, USA
Description
wood, glass, fabric, metal, plant fibre, glass beads, base
This figure is dominated by a relatively large head and glazed eyes with painted pupils. The hanging of colourful fabric strips, strings and paraphernalia is eye-catching, as is the mass-filled tube of fabric around the neck.
The raised right arm of the figure formerly held a spear. Depicted is a man with a threatening gesture, warning his enemies of his power and strength.
A “nkisi” is an object charged with magical substances “bilongo” and inhabited by a powerful spirit. The figurative form of a “nkisi”, called “nkondi”, represents the most powerful form of these magical objects.
The figures were magically charged by the “banganga” (master/ priest of the “minkisi”) and used to protect the members of the community against illness, witchcraft and infertility. They could even be successful in hunting or used in a negative sense, for example to inflict evil on another person. It is believed that the minkondi maintain order in the society.
The object Male power figure “nkis nkondi” with the object ID 3048925 was last part of the auction 98th Auction at March 26, 2022 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 326 achieved a sales price of EUR 8,000.
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