About this artwork
The term nkisi refers to spirit-invested objects that were empowered with medicinal and magical ingredients called bilongo. In the case of this male figure, the bilongo are enclosed in the cap on the head and in the mirror-sealed resin packet on the abdomen. The name nkondi refers to the figure’s ability to hunt down and punish wrongdoers. A nail or a blade was driven into the figure to prompt the inhabiting spirit at every consultation.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 137
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Department
- Arts of Africa
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Culture
- Vili
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Title
- Male Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)
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Places
- Republic of the Congo (Object made in), Africa (Object made in)
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Date
- 1801-1875
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Medium
- Wood, metal, glass, fabric, fiber, cowrie shells, bone, leather, gourd, and feathers
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Dimensions
- H.: 72 cm (28 3/8 in.)
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Credit Line
- Ada Turnbull Hertle Endowment
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Reference Number
- 1998.502
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/151358/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.