Artwork Page for Figure (Nkishi)

Details / Information for Figure (Nkishi)

Figure (Nkishi)

late 1800s–early 1900s

Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Luba-style maker

Medium
Wood, organic materials (including resin and soil), plant fiber, and glass beads
Measurements
Overall: 22.4 x 10.7 x 12.4 cm (8 13/16 x 4 3/16 x 4 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin N. Haas 1974.212
Public Domain
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Location
108A African
Print
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Did You Know?

Unlike most Luba arts, this figure is not connected to the royal court.

Description

The substances contained in its cloth-covered cranial cavity indicate that this half-figure belongs to the broad category of charms or “power objects” that the Luba call mankishi. It was used by a ritual expert and functioned in a variety of rituals dealing with healing, protection, divination, or jurisdiction. Often such power figures were carved by the ritual experts rather than by professional artists.

Figure (Nkishi)

late 1800s–early 1900s

Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Luba-style maker

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