Songye Nkishi fetish figure
€290.00
The Songye, a people well known in African art for their fetishes and masks, inhabit a region crossed by the Lomami, bordered to the west by the Sankuru and to the east by the upper Zaire.
They are a patrilineal ethnic group, known for their magical statues and traditional masks. Magical statuary ensures the general well-being of the village.
Large cubist effigies are loaded with various substances, enclosed in the abdomen or in horns planted on the head.
The general attitude is standing, hands placed on the stomach.
Frontality is usually observed; but a few rare effigies turn their heads to the side. The faces are powerful, the eyes half-closed or made of inlaid cowries. The nose is triangular or diamond-shaped. The mouth is slit-shaped, sometimes crescent-shaped. The chin is prominent. The statues are sometimes enhanced with copper, nails, pearls.
The example of nkishi fetish presented here also has a ringed neck.
Shipping fees
02525
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- 35 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, accessories
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Stand
- Included
- Condition
- Excellent
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The Songye, a people well known in African art for their fetishes and masks, inhabit a region crossed by the Lomami, bordered to the west by the Sankuru and to the east by the upper Zaire.
They are a patrilineal ethnic group, known for their magical statues and traditional masks. Magical statuary ensures the general well-being of the village.
Large cubist effigies are loaded with various substances, enclosed in the abdomen or in horns planted on the head.
The general attitude is standing, hands placed on the stomach.
Frontality is usually observed; but a few rare effigies turn their heads to the side. The faces are powerful, the eyes half-closed or made of inlaid cowries. The nose is triangular or diamond-shaped. The mouth is slit-shaped, sometimes crescent-shaped. The chin is prominent. The statues are sometimes enhanced with copper, nails, pearls.
The example of nkishi fetish presented here also has a ringed neck.