Authentic Songye power figures are rare. Despite their appearance, these figures show little evidence of age or use and were probably made to be sold.
Figure 42 21" high $1200 |
Figure 46 14" high $500 |
Figure 53 8" high $400 |
Authentic Songye power figures are rare. Despite their appearance, these figures show little evidence of age or use and were probably made to be sold.
|
Figure 42 21" high $1200 |
Figure 46 14" high $500 |
Figure 53 8" high $400 |
Figure 38 24.5" high SOLD |
|
Figure 49 10" high SOLD |
Figure 37 27" high SOLD
|
Figure 31 51.5" high SOLD |
Figure 35 31.5" high SOLD |
SONGYE, POWER (FETISH) FIGURES 2, DRC
The Songye made power figures, Nkisi (singular) and Mankishi (plural), to combat witchcraft and sorcery. They were benign and were believed to bring good, promote fertility and success, vanquish enemies and protect from evil. Large ones were owned by and served the community; small ones were for individual families.
Adorned with additional objects, Bajimba, with magical properties (horns, skins, teeth, hair, feathers, beads, tacks, cloth, etc.), they gained their power not from the carver but from the Nganga, or spiritual leader. Their carving was considered secondary to their power. Often too powerful to touch, they were moved with long sticks. Although protective, these are confrontational objects, with a warrior's attitude.
Many of the features show a relationship to the masks of the Kifwebe association.
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