Kongo Wooden Nkisi Nkondi Sculpture African masks ritual mask ceremony-4003

Description

Kongo Wooden Nkisi Nkondi Sculpture African masks ritual mask ceremony-17/11.5 CM
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80 $
170 $
Kongo Wooden Nkisi Nkondi Sculpture African masks ritual mask ceremony-17/11.5 CM
This superb sculpture is an nkisi nkondi figure, made by the Kongo people of what was once Zaire. It is a standing man, with an oversized head, an open mouth, glazed eyes and one arm upraised. The whole body is irregularly pierced with hundreds of iron nails and other objects, with organic and ferrous elements attached to them (see below). The centre of the chest bears two eminences that hold magical materials; in religious terms, this was the most important part of the sculpture, which only served as a receptacle for the bilongo’s spiritual power. The Kongo (or Bakongo) people live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola and the Congo. They lived in a series of loosely-connected yet autonomous kingdoms, which were modified by tribal warfare from neighbouring regions and the arrival of the Portuguese. The kingdom absorbed European traditions and religion while retaining much of their indigenous culture intact. Indigenous Kongo society was based around the kingship model. Their religious beliefs have a far wider circulation, and are based around a reverence for the dead who are believed to be able to assist in the determination of future destinies. They are also believed to inhabit minkisi/nkisi charms that can be appealed to for assistance in times of duress. This is the most notable form. Nkisi Nkondi figures – often referred to as nail fetishes – are endowed with a magical “charge” (bilongo) made from vital substances such as earth from an important person’s grave, or bodily elements from fierce animals (i.e. leopards) or abnormal humans such as epileptics. The figures are insulted and “hurt” with explosions and nails so that they will carry out the wishes of their tormentor. Some bear small bundles of textile or other organic material referred to as “dogs” – these direct the vengeful spirits to the correct source, so a fragment of goat hair tied to the nkisi would ensure that the spirit hunted down the thief who had taken the animal.
SIZE OF THE MASK
17/11.5 CM
SHIPING
FREE DHL EXSSPRES
Condition
SOLD without THE STAND
Material
An original patina covers the item
4
Location
Purchase 3 items and receive one stand worth $ 40 as a gift
Description
Video
This superb sculpture is an nkisi nkondi figure, made by the Kongo people of what was once Zaire. It is a standing man, with an oversized head, an open mouth, glazed eyes and one arm upraised. The whole body is irregularly pierced with hundreds of iron nails and other objects, with organic and ferrous elements attached to them (see below). The centre of the chest bears two eminences that hold magical materials; in religious terms, this was the most important part of the sculpture, which only served as a receptacle for the bilongo’s spiritual power. The Kongo (or Bakongo) people live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola and the Congo. They lived in a series of loosely-connected yet autonomous kingdoms, which were modified by tribal warfare from neighbouring regions and the arrival of the Portuguese. The kingdom absorbed European traditions and religion while retaining much of their indigenous culture intact. Indigenous Kongo society was based around the kingship model. Their religious beliefs have a far wider circulation, and are based around a reverence for the dead who are believed to be able to assist in the determination of future destinies. They are also believed to inhabit minkisi/nkisi charms that can be appealed to for assistance in times of duress. This is the most notable form. Nkisi Nkondi figures – often referred to as nail fetishes – are endowed with a magical “charge” (bilongo) made from vital substances such as earth from an important person’s grave, or bodily elements from fierce animals (i.e. leopards) or abnormal humans such as epileptics. The figures are insulted and “hurt” with explosions and nails so that they will carry out the wishes of their tormentor. Some bear small bundles of textile or other organic material referred to as “dogs” – these direct the vengeful spirits to the correct source, so a fragment of goat hair tied to the nkisi would ensure that the spirit hunted down the thief who had taken the animal.
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