Ɵ Songye fetish known as nkishi, Democratic... - Lot 53 - Giquello

Lot 53
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Estimation :
25000 - 40000 EUR
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Result : 49 176EUR
Ɵ Songye fetish known as nkishi, Democratic... - Lot 53 - Giquello
Ɵ Songye fetish known as nkishi, Democratic Republic of the Congo Period: Late 19th century Wood with oozing patina, iron, metals, resin, skins, fetish material, raffia, Bouvier fish owl feathers CITES issued 16/03/2018 H. 88 cm Songye nkishi fetish, Democratic Republic of the Congo H. 34 ½ in Provenance: - Jacques Hautelet Collection, Louvain, San Diego - Former Allen Davis Collection, New York Obsessed with witchcraft and eager to equip themselves with effective means to combat its harmful effects, the ancient Songye -a Bantu population settled in southeastern D.R. Congo- endowed themselves with fetish statues, receptacles of a complex magical material known as bishimba. The large nkishi belonged to a whole community to which it gave its support for sometimes several generations. In function the fetish became properly untouchable and was handled with the help of long wooden poles passing under the armpits. Under a large skirt of dried straw, the legs are vigorously sculpted, the feet resting on a circular base. The hands rest on either side of the prominent umbilicus containing a fetish charge. A shovel-shaped iron is stuck in the middle of the chest. Two belts containing magical ingredients frame the belly. The entire torso is covered with an animal skin. The very expressive face in the classic ethnic style shows an oozing patina. The eyes are adorned with copper and iron nails. The large forehead is topped by an impressive crown of iron spikes. The amalgam of resin at the top was used to keep fetish charges and perhaps a horn that has now disappeared. A large feather and fibre headdress covers its shoulders. Examination of the object shows the existence of numerous cavities (shoulders, back...) containing fetish material. As François Neyt points out (...) "Many sculpted objects, collected in museums and private collections, have lost an important part of their magical conglomerates and their finery." In addition to the power of its carving and its beautiful age, the work presented today shows a nearly intact magical equipment, worthy of the highest interest for the scientist as well as for the aesthete. ? This lot is a temporary import Ɵ This lot is a temporary import
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