Lot A106 - Songye Power Figure (Nkisi)

Songye Power Figure (Nkisi)

Songye, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Height: 37 cm

Carved wooden standing male figure with elongated head, half-closed almond-shaped eyes, and a rectangular open mouth. The figure stands with bent knees, the hands placed on the abdomen, and a prominent crest-like projection rising from the head.

Such figures served as power objects used in protective and healing rituals, believed to contain spiritual forces activated by ritual specialists.

Dark brown patina with signs of age and handling. 20th century.