Kongo Wooden Nkisi Sculpture

This very powerful and commanding figure was created by the Kongo people of the Lower Congo River valley. The fetish figure stands proudly on a small pedestal with his hands firmly at his sides in a show of determination and strength. It is a common occurrence in the fetishes of this culture to find naturalism and assertion, while their tomb figures are far more schematized.

This man exhibits such identifying features as the protruding stomach with a cowrie shell imbedded in the navel, the open mouth showing a lack of teeth yet a slightly protruding tongue and the conventionalized head coming to a soft point. All are commonly employed elements of Kongo renderings. This is an enduring work and a wonderful representation of the Kongo craftsmanship of ritual wares.