Kongo Vili Nkisi horse rider
Power statuary in traditional Kongo art
The impressive statuary of the Kongo ethnic group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is very famous for its powerful minkisi (sing. nkisi) fetishes.
Very expressive, richly adorned with various elements such as nails, glass, excessive loads, etc., these African fetishes fascinate both by their form and by the magical power conferred on them by the Bakongo fetishers. The Kongo jumper that I am offering here is a piece of a type that could not be more rare.
Indeed, figures combining man and animal are rare in the artistic corpus of the Bakongo. These coins refer to the protective emblems of the clans.
This piece, of Kongo Vili origin, on the west coast of the former Zaire, takes up the stylistic codes of the ethnic group, including the naturalistic face with an open mouth and detailed teeth. Glass is stuck in the eyes and the pupils are detailed in the center of the sclera.
The headdress is made up of feathers held together with rope, as is traditionally the case on some of the most popular minkisi. Finally, a very unique element, the main character holds in his hands, in front of him, a container in which a smaller character is installed.
This African statue is part of a set of objects mainly of Kongo origin (see attached photo), collected by a colonial agent (B. v. d. K., Belgium).
01796
Data sheet
- Size
- 44 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, accessories
- Country
- Stand
- Included
- Condition
- Excellent
Power statuary in traditional Kongo art
The impressive statuary of the Kongo ethnic group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is very famous for its powerful minkisi (sing. nkisi) fetishes.
Very expressive, richly adorned with various elements such as nails, glass, excessive loads, etc., these African fetishes fascinate both by their form and by the magical power conferred on them by the Bakongo fetishers. The Kongo jumper that I am offering here is a piece of a type that could not be more rare.
Indeed, figures combining man and animal are rare in the artistic corpus of the Bakongo. These coins refer to the protective emblems of the clans.
This piece, of Kongo Vili origin, on the west coast of the former Zaire, takes up the stylistic codes of the ethnic group, including the naturalistic face with an open mouth and detailed teeth. Glass is stuck in the eyes and the pupils are detailed in the center of the sclera.
The headdress is made up of feathers held together with rope, as is traditionally the case on some of the most popular minkisi. Finally, a very unique element, the main character holds in his hands, in front of him, a container in which a smaller character is installed.
This African statue is part of a set of objects mainly of Kongo origin (see attached photo), collected by a colonial agent (B. v. d. K., Belgium).