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Artwork Page for Power figure (nkisi)

Details / Information for Power figure (nkisi)

Power figure (nkisi)

late 1800s–early 1900s
Wood, organic materials (including resin), cloth, metalized glass, possibly porcelain, and plant fiber
Overall: 23 x 9 x 11 cm (9 1/16 x 3 9/16 x 4 5/16 in.)
René and Odette Delenne Collection, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 2010.441
Location: not on view
Public Domain
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The object’s two small guns are pointing upward, but bears the label “colique,” a term referring to heavy pains caused by intestinal obstruction.

Description

This figure is one of the two tallest of the seven anthropomorphic minkisi figurines previously in the Delenne collection. Identified as an nduda, two upward “guns” are attached on its side loaded with gunpowder used to shoot witches. Its label bears the word colique, a term referring to heavy pains caused by intestinal obstruction.

Power figure (nkisi)

late 1800s–early 1900s

Africa, Central Africa, Republic of the Congo, Kongo-style maker

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