Figure magique "nkisi" ·  R. D. Congo, Bakongo/Yombe · ID: 3043238

Description

wood, reddish brown and dark brown patina, strongly encrusted in some areas, glazed eyes, receptacle closed by mirror glass in front of the body, slightly dam. (nose), cracks (right face half, back), abrasion of paint, rep.? (base), pedestal.
The mirror on the stomach of “nkisi” figures indicates that the figure gives the diviner access to the “other” world of death and (anti-)witchcraft. At the same time, it offers protection by reflecting evil influences and danger. To the Kongo way of thinking, the stomach is the seat of both welfare and witchcraft. There are two kinds of “nkisi”: aggressive ones which track down and punish wrongdoers, and benevolent ones which promote fertility and healing.

L’objet Figure magique “nkisi” avec l’ID d’objet 3043238 a fait partie de la dernière vente aux enchères 88e vente aux enchères Tribal Art dans 10 mars 2018 le Zemanek-Münster Hôtel des ventes. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 381 a atteint un prix de vente de 2 250 €.

Vous trouverez d’autres Figures et autres types d’objets populaires sur nos pages thématiques associées. Notre page sur le thème Art africain pourrait également vous intéresser.

Littérature comparée

Grootaers, Jan-Lodewijk & Ineke Eisenburger (ed.), Forms of Wonderment, Vol. II, Berg en Dal 2002, p. 524

Publications

AHDRC: 0150601