Figur - Congo

Kusu Power Figure

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Wood, 23 cm

Beginning 20th Century

A finely carved Kusu power figure of highly elongated proportions, characterized by a slender neck, strongly stylized facial features and elongated arms closely held to the body.

En finhugget Kusu kraftfigur med meget lange proportioner, kendetegnet ved en slank hals, stærkt stiliserede ansigtstræk og lange arme, tæt holdt mod kroppen.

The figure is distinguished by the large circular cavity to the crown of the head, intended to receive or contain ritual substances associated with its spiritual efficacy.

Figuren er kendetegnet ved den store cirkulære hulning i toppen af hovedet, beregnet til at modtage eller indeholde ceremonielle substanser forbundet med dens åndelige virkning.

The restrained yet powerful sculptural language, together with the dark, naturally aged surface and evidence of prolonged ritual handling, gives the figure a particularly compelling presence.

Den tilbageholdte, men kraftfulde skulpturale udtryk, sammen med den mørke, naturligt aldrende overflade og tegn på langvarig ritualhåndtering, giver figuren en særligt fascinerende tilstedeværelse.

The elongated proportions and strongly abstracted physiognomy are characteristic of the refined sculptural traditions of the Kusu of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

De lange proportioner og den stærkt abstrakte fysiognomi er karakteristiske for Kusu’ens sofistikerede skulpturtraditioner i Demokratiske Republikken Congo.

The Kusu, or Bakusu, are documented in the region north of the Lomami and south of Maniema.

Kusu, eller Bakusu, er dokumenteret i området nord for Lomami og syd for Maniema.

Old colonial collection