Artwork Page for Male Figure (Nkisi)

Details / Information for Male Figure (Nkisi)

Male Figure (Nkisi)

late 1800s-early 1900s

Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cabinda, or Republic of the Congo, probably Vili-style maker

Medium
Wood, cloth, resin, organic material, feathers, natural fibers, antelope horn, seashells (including cowrie shells), glass beads, metalized glass, and plant fiber
Measurements
Overall: 42 x 11.8 x 23 cm (16 9/16 x 4 5/8 x 9 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 2010.433
Public Domain
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Location
108A African
Print
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Did You Know?

Different from other figures functioning as defense against witches or misfortune, its “night guns,” or nduda, are missing.

Description

Nkisi is an object that is believed to host an ancestral spirit. Unusual among these figures, this nkisi figure is missing its nduda, “night guns.” These guns would be filled with gunpowder functioning as defense against witches or misfortune. Unless its guns were lost during the course of its life history, this nkisi may instead be an example of a more general type called mpanzu, whose functions included protection.
A dark brown wood full-body sculpture depicts a figure, chin turned up and chest entirely covered in scraps of brown cloth fragments and strings. Two clusters of these cloth fragments and strings hang down and pile on the floor. On top of the figure's head sits a circular hat with a light brown cloth wrapping around long dark brown feathers and a few shorter, burnt orange feathers.

Male Figure (Nkisi)

late 1800s-early 1900s

Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cabinda, or Republic of the Congo, probably Vili-style maker

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