Fetiche Nkisi Songye Wood Statue.  DRC.  Congo.  Africa.

 

 

This is from the Songye people and most likely from a religious shaman (nganga).  Shamans prepare these figures with symbolic substances (Bilongo) from animals (e.g. blood), vegetables and/or minerals  . . .  placed in the abdomen, head or back behind a mirror or glass, especially those from Bakongo/Kongo tribe along the Atlantic coast.

 

With this statue, the substances were removed.  As this piece might have been part of a museum collection and sold, it was – perhaps still is – the policy to remove the substances to de-activate any of the magic or effects.

 

Notice the nails have a triangular shape, indicating an older statue.

 

Definitely, museum quality condition dating back to the mid-1900s or earlier.

 

For the Serious Collector, for sure.

 

SOLD!  Thanks C.R. !!