Large 39\" African Congo Tribal Nail Fetish Nkisi Nkonde Statue Kongo figure
![Large 39\](img-large/g/wBgAAOSwv0tVbl6v/s-l1600/Large-39-African-Congo-Tribal-Nail-Fetish-Nkisi-Nk.jpg "Large 39\")
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Large 39\" African Congo Tribal Nail Fetish Nkisi Nkonde Statue Kongo figure:
$3000.00
The Kongo people are distributed throughout the Zaire River Basin, from the modern day Republic of the Congo down through northern Angola. Unique to the Kongo\'s region are the \'nkisi,\' carvings considered extremely powerful by the people, and even by British colonialists who ordered them destroyed when found, fearing that they could be an effective resistance to the colonization of Africa. These \"fetishes\" are generally adorned with nails, or blades of metal, and are the only figures in African art embellished in this way. Nkisis aside, however, the Kongo produce many different styles of art, each of which have gained substantial attention and notoriety from collectors. Nkondi feature a bowl shaped relief in the abdomen that would be filled with various \'magic\' substances (specific plants and other natural materials) by a skilled holy man in order to activate the statue. After activating it, the Nkondi had to be \'called to action\'. This was accomplished in a number of ways; by taunting it, singing to it, driving nails or blades into it, and by other means. In many cases, a mirror, or other covering was used to seal up the relief. These pieces gained real power when used because the Kongo people, and even many later colonials genuinely believed in their effectiveness.This piece demonstrates the Nkondi theme beautifully, with an immense number of nails driven into it, as well as various \'magic\' substances, cloths, and other embellishments attached. The piece is very large and quite heavy. The figure stands on its own. This object is extremely visually impressive, and will undoubtedly become a centerpiece in almost any collection.Dimensions are 39\" tall and approximately 11.5\"width x 9.5\"depth (including the nails)Medium: Wood, Metal (nails), Pigment,
Large 39\" African Congo Tribal Nail Fetish Nkisi Nkonde Statue Kongo figure:
$3000.00