Yombe Wood Nkisi Nkondi Figure - Glass Inset

Central Africa, Kongo, Yombe people, ca. mid-20th century CE. A vigilant and forceful presence, this Yombe nkisi nkondi figure stands as both guardian and instrument of spiritual authority, its surface bearing the visible record of ritual use and activation. Carved in wood and presented in a compact, frontal stance, the female figure is crowned by a tall, crested coiffure with finely incised geometric patterning. Her face is sharply defined, with wide, alert eyes inset with glass, lending a reflective, penetrating gaze. The lips part slightly, and the ears project outward, heightening the sense of awareness and immediacy. Her hands are raised to her breasts, a gesture that may emphasize fertility, nourishment, and protective maternal force within Kongo belief systems. Size: 5.3" L x 6.4" W x 20.5" H (13.5 cm x 16.3 cm x 52.1 cm) At the abdomen, a cylindrical projecting vessel forms the core of the figure's power. This cavity is sealed with inlaid glass, beneath which would traditionally be contained bilongo, a composite of spiritually charged materials prepared by a ritual specialist (nganga). The reflective glass surface is not merely protective but symbolic, acting as a threshold between the visible and invisible realms. The figure is further animated by numerous iron nails and pegs driven into the back, torso, and lower body. Each insertion likely corresponds to an oath, invocation, or act of activation, calling upon the nkisi to enforce justice, heal, or protect. These elements serve as a cumulative record of the figure's working life. Plant fiber cords encircle the neck, waist, and ankles, securing and binding the assemblage of materials that empower the figure. Across the surface, layered accretions of darkened, glossy, and chalky material remain visible. Under ultraviolet light, these areas fluoresce bluish-green to whitish, suggesting the presence of resinous and other organic substances associated with ritual application and repeated use. These coatings likely include adhesive materials used to affix the glass elements and other components, along with accumulated ritual deposits; specific identification of these materials cannot be confirmed without technical analysis. This figure should be understood not as a static carving, but as an active spiritual instrument - assembled, charged, and recharged through repeated engagement. Its materials, insertions, and surfaces speak to a history of invocation, protection, and the negotiation of unseen forces. Item # 200598

Estimate:£168.19

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