Songye Nkishi power figure
Protective power in Africa
This African statue of Songye origin is a desacralized nkishi fetish except for its ritual horn, stuck at the top of the skull. The body initially housed accessories such as saddlebags, skins, bracelets and anklets giving it its protective power.
The sculptural quality of this piece is perfectly splendid: the face in particular, with its small goatee, testifies to the great technical mastery of the sculptor.
One will notice the elegance as much from the front as from the profile with a serene face, slightly leaning forward. The mouth, classically, is arched and open illustrating the power of speech to counter bad luck and misfortune.
Traditional Songye statues can also be effigies of ancestors.
In African art, nkishi figures were kept on an individual, family or even village level in order to benefit from their protective powers.
01704
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- 53 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, accessories
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Condition
- Excellent
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Protective power in Africa
This African statue of Songye origin is a desacralized nkishi fetish except for its ritual horn, stuck at the top of the skull. The body initially housed accessories such as saddlebags, skins, bracelets and anklets giving it its protective power.
The sculptural quality of this piece is perfectly splendid: the face in particular, with its small goatee, testifies to the great technical mastery of the sculptor.
One will notice the elegance as much from the front as from the profile with a serene face, slightly leaning forward. The mouth, classically, is arched and open illustrating the power of speech to counter bad luck and misfortune.
Traditional Songye statues can also be effigies of ancestors.
In African art, nkishi figures were kept on an individual, family or even village level in order to benefit from their protective powers.