NKISI
NKISI
Yombe (Kongo) nkisi statuette.
20th century.Height: 48 cm.Heavy, light-brown wood, rope, fabric, seashell.A cowrie shell (Monetaria moneta) adorns the headdress, which is held in place by a red fabric headband. A cord passed around the neck, across the torso and down the back secures a sort of scarf encircling the neck.Wooden pads on the tops of each foot, on each shoulder and across the lower back are used to secure a magical load.The glass eyes and the mirror on the abdomen endow the fetish with the power of vision into the afterlife. The hands support the mirror on the abdomen, the seat of fertility.
NKISI
Yombe (Kongo) nkisi statuette.
20th century.Height: 48 cm.Heavy, light-brown wood, rope, fabric, seashell.A cowrie shell (Monetaria moneta) adorns the headdress, which is held in place by a red fabric headband. A cord passed around the neck, across the torso and down the back secures a sort of scarf encircling the neck.Wooden pads on the tops of each foot, on each shoulder and across the lower back are used to secure a magical load.The glass eyes and the mirror on the abdomen endow the fetish with the power of vision into the afterlife. The hands support the mirror on the abdomen, the seat of fertility.
