NKISI YOMBE
NKISI YOMBE
Yombe nkisi nkonde statuette. (Kongo)
20th century.Height: 52 cm.Heavy, dark brown wood, cord, jute.The head wears a jute cap. The skull is topped by a lamp-like structure secured by nails on either side. The face is finely carved. The slightly parted mouth reveals teeth in both the upper and lower jaws.Two ridges on the shoulders and the back of the neck are used to attach a magical charge. Numerous spikes, interwoven with cord, are embedded in the body (indicating the number of times the fetish has been activated) and are used to attach a ventral face with eyes covered by glass, wooden sticks on either side of the ventral face, a padlock on the back, intended to bind spirits to the fetish, as well as pieces of fabric and leather.The glass mirror has been moved to the forehead. A ventral mask replaces the mirror (which is traditionally found in this position on Yombe fetishes) whilst fulfilling the same role: a spirit establishing a link with the powers of the afterlife and vision into the unseen.
NKISI YOMBE
Yombe nkisi nkonde statuette. (Kongo)
20th century.Height: 52 cm.Heavy, dark brown wood, cord, jute.The head wears a jute cap. The skull is topped by a lamp-like structure secured by nails on either side. The face is finely carved. The slightly parted mouth reveals teeth in both the upper and lower jaws.Two ridges on the shoulders and the back of the neck are used to attach a magical charge. Numerous spikes, interwoven with cord, are embedded in the body (indicating the number of times the fetish has been activated) and are used to attach a ventral face with eyes covered by glass, wooden sticks on either side of the ventral face, a padlock on the back, intended to bind spirits to the fetish, as well as pieces of fabric and leather.The glass mirror has been moved to the forehead. A ventral mask replaces the mirror (which is traditionally found in this position on Yombe fetishes) whilst fulfilling the same role: a spirit establishing a link with the powers of the afterlife and vision into the unseen.
