Items Similar to 20th Century African Songye Nkishi Kifwebe Figure, Democratic Republic of Congo

Large Buyu Protection Figure Democratic Republic Congo Africa

Tribal Style Songye Kifwebe Mask, D. R. Congo

Statue Nkishi People Songye / Songe - Dr Congo African Art Late 19th century

Luba People Caryatid Stool Democratic Republic Congo Central Africa

Genuine brass figure from thje Songye tribe, DR Congo, first half 20th Century

1950's Lega 'Idimu' Mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 20

20th Century African Songye Nkishi Kifwebe Figure, Democratic Republic of Congo

About the Item

For sale is this wonderful vintage African hand-carved Kifwebe association Figure (or "N'kishi"), originating from the Songye people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly the Kingdom of Kongo), and dating from circa the mid to late 20th Century. This rather unusual hand-carved male 'Power' figure, wearing a stylised striated Kifwebe mask, has a long ringed neck, reddish-brown pigment applied to its eyes and mouth and would have once had a raffia skirt (or similar) wrapped around its waist, thus the nails and the lighter coloured wood in that area. The piece is in good vintage condition with wear and patina commensurate with age and use. The Songye people, from the southeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are skilled artisans known for their unique fetishes known as Mankishi (plural of "Nkishi"), typically carved from wood or horn. These symbolic figures are believed to promote personal success, fertility, and wealth while also providing spiritual protection against dangers like wizardry, witchcraft, lightning or illness. Smaller versions, such as this, were used by individuals, but the larger statues played a crucial role in safeguarding the health and prosperity of entire communities. The Songye tribe belong to the Bantu ethnic group and live along the Lualaba River. They are organised into various sub-groups, with each one united under a central leader called the Yakitenge. Their culture is rich in visual art, especially their dramatic masks and figurines, used in secret society rituals, most notably in the kifwebe tradition.

Dimensions:

Height: 11.42 in (29 cm)Width: 2.76 in (7 cm)Depth: 2.76 in (7 cm)

Style:

Tribal (Of the Period)

Materials and Techniques:

Metal,Wood,Hand-Carved

Place of Origin:

Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Period:

Late 20th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1980s

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.

Seller Location:

London, GB

Reference Number:

Seller: African_Power_Figure_011stDibs: LU7068243360292

More From This Seller

View All

20th Century African Ten-Legged Nupe Stool or Table, Nigeria c.1950s

Located in London, GB

For sale is a wonderful vintage 20th Century African hand-carved ten-legged stool or table, originating from the Nupe tribe of Nigeria, Africa and dating from circa the 1950s. This ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Stools

Materials

Wood

20th Century African Ten-Legged Nupe Stool or Table, Nigeria c.1950s

$1,645

Early 19th Century, Georgian Portrait Painting, Oil on Board, C.1820s

Located in London, GB

For sale a charming European late 18th, early 19th Century Georgian/Regency era oil on board portrait painting of a youthful person, possibly a scholar, believed to have been painted...

Category

Antique Early 18th Century European Biedermeier Paintings

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Giltwood

Early 19th Century, Georgian Portrait Painting, Oil on Board, C.1820s

$1,175

Pair of White Italian Mid-Century Coat Hooks / Rack, c.1970s

Located in London, GB

For sale is a wonderful pair of White Italian mid-century, Space-Age Coat Hooks in the manner of Luigi Caramella, dating from c.1970s. The hooks are in good vintage condition, with...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Coat Racks and Stands

Materials

Plastic

Pair of White Italian Mid-Century Coat Hooks / Rack, c.1970s

$166 / set

Pair of Mid-Century Carl Fagerlund Wall Lights by Orrefors, Sweden, 1960s

By Orrefors, Carl Fagerlund

Located in London, GB

A pair of Orrefors Glasverk glass and brass wall lights, designed by Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Sweden, circa the 1960s. The lights are in perfect working order and in fair vintage condit...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mid-Century Carl Fagerlund Wall Lights by Orrefors, Sweden, 1960s

$746 / set

Pair of Original Mid-Century Charlotte Perriand "CP1" Wall Lights, France 1960s

By Steph Simon, SCE France 1, Charlotte Perriand

Located in London, GB

Offered here is a vintage pair of French Modernist Model 'CP1' wall lights, designed by Charlotte Perriand, edited by Galerie Steph Simon, Paris (originally) and produced by SCE (Soc...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Steel

Pair of Original Mid-Century Charlotte Perriand "CP1" Wall Lights, France 1960s

$2,695 / set

Pair of Original Mid-Century Charlotte Perriand "CP1" Wall Lights, France 1960s

By Steph Simon, Charlotte Perriand, SCE France 1

Located in London, GB

Offered here is a vintage pair of French Modernist Model 'CP1' wall lights, designed by Charlotte Perriand, edited by Galerie Steph Simon, Paris (originally) and produced by SCE (Soc...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Steel

Pair of Original Mid-Century Charlotte Perriand "CP1" Wall Lights, France 1960s

$2,698 / set

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Large Buyu Protection Figure Democratic Republic Congo Africa

$750

Tribal Style Songye Kifwebe Mask, D. R. Congo

Located in Point Richmond, CA

This graphic Songye Kifwebe mask has fine carved lines curved over the eyes and diagonal lines radiating from the nose and mouth in classic Kifwebe form. ...

Category

Late 20th Century Congolese Tribal Masks

Materials

Wood

Tribal Style Songye Kifwebe Mask, D. R. Congo

$1,900

Statue Nkishi People Songye / Songe - Dr Congo African Art Late 19th century

Located in Leuven, BE

Old / Authentic And Rare Nkishi Statue Songye / Dream People - Dr Congo African Art Period: Late 19th century Height: 17 cm Very beautiful red patina...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Congolese Tribal Art

Materials

Hardwood

Statue Nkishi People Songye / Songe - Dr Congo African Art Late 19th century

$3,298

Luba People Caryatid Stool Democratic Republic Congo Central Africa

Located in Rochester, NY

Old Luba People stool hand carved from a single piece of tree wood w/ caryatid female ancestral figure as the central support. Showing good signs of genuine age and beautiful old sur...

Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Luba People Caryatid Stool Democratic Republic Congo Central Africa

$650

Genuine brass figure from thje Songye tribe, DR Congo, first half 20th Century

By Songye Tribe

Located in Bilzen, BE

A genuine figure from the Songye tribe DR Congo cast in brass dating from the beginning to the middle of the 20th century. The casting is done in sand and the figure has never been c...

Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Brass

Genuine brass figure from thje Songye tribe, DR Congo, first half 20th Century

$529

1950's Lega 'Idimu' Mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Located in London, GB

This mid-twentieth century finely carved mask, from the Lega culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, displays the typically heart-shaped face of Lega 'Idimu' masks. Traces o...

Category