Sitting male figure "ndop"

Description

wood, shiny dark brown patina, in upright posture with crossed legs sitting on a cubical stool, eyes with lowered lids, coiffure with shaved hairline, carved with fez-like headdress and elaborate belt, slightly dam., continuous crack on the right side of the body, base;
“ndop” statues are idealized representations of the “nyim”, the supreme titled position in the Kuba kingdom. The statues were kept in the womens rooms. They should provide fertility and should substitute the king during times of absence. When a king died, his “ndop” figure was brought to his deathbead in order to transfer his vital force on the statue. Afterwards the figure was handed over to his predecessor.