Monkey Figure – Metal, Nail, Wood – Nkisi Nkondi – Bakongo – Congo DRC

Nkisi Nkondi in the form of a Monkey. A similar item can be found in the Rijksmuseum voor Vokenkunde, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Nkisi statues are always richly provided with nails, metal blades, bones and other attributes which were applied by the Nganga (medicine man, fortune teller) to sanction requests or promises from tribe members.
Old forged nails, metal blades, fibers and glass eyes (mirroring to scare away evil spirits).
The white in the glass eyes refers to the land of the dead and has a mediating function.
Thisspecimen is in a beautiful condition with traces of wear and tear. Has a great crusty ages patina.
Large and heavy piece, total weight: 11 kg!