Kongo Nkisi Two Headed Animal Nail Fetish, African Start Price USD 1,250.00 Current Price USD 1,250.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, September 21, 2008 End Time Tuesday, October 21, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Kongo Nkisi Two Headed Animal Nail Fetish, African' Description Title: Kongo/Yombe Nkisi Two Headed Animal Nail Fetish, AfricanType of Object: Carving, ower figureEthnic Group: YombeCountry of Origin: DR CongoMaterials: wood, metal nails, cotton cloth, pigmentApproximate Age: Mid 20th centuryDimensions: Length is 19.5 inches.Overall Condition: GoodDamage, Repair: Old insect damage is evident on one foot, chips in places, crack in the buttom, encrusted patina is coming apart in places Additional Information: An extraordinary piece, with multiple layers of pigments, encrusted, which have chipped off in places. Fabric is twisted between the nails, also encrusted. Nkisi-The best known of Kongo art is the nkisi, a term which is untranslateable, but which refers to carved figures which are used for dealing with problems "ranging from public strife, theft and disease to the hope off seducing women and becoming wealthy." (AFRICA_THE ART OF A CONTINENT-Guggenheim Museum.) An nkisi generally contains relics from someone who has died, or clay from the cemetery. It also contains medicines. When there are nails or blades protruding, it is called an nkondi, which means "the hunter." The nkonde are the most powerful of the nkisi. They were used to identify and hunt down unknown wrongdoers such as thieves, and people who were believed to cause sickness or death by occult means. They were also used to punish people who swore false oaths and villages which broke treaties. To inspire the nkondi to action, it was both invoked and provoked. Invocations, in bloodthirsty language, encouraged it to punish the guilty party. It would also be provoked by having gunpowder exploded in front of it, and having nails hammered into it. They were also used to literally "hammer out agreements"...with clear implications as to what would happen to people who broke the agreements. The nkisi are used by their owner or the nganga (sorcerer/spiritual specialist) to please the different spirits who are supposed to regulate the world. (TRIBAL ARTS OF AFRICA-Bacquart) When a nganga believes that a figure has lost its power, it is discarded and may be sold.This figure shows sign of log use and will stand out in any collection.I have examined this piece and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, Ph.D. **W2228** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!