Fétiche Nkisi - Bakongo - DR Congo

The nkisi fetishes of the Bakongo are among the most powerful expressions of Central African ritual art: these wooden sculptures—sometimes anthropomorphic, sometimes zoomorphic—are designed to house active spiritual forces intended to act on the visible and invisible worlds. The term nkisi literally means “medicine” or “incorporated spiritual force,” and the sculpture only becomes efficacious after sacred substances (bilongo) are inserted by a ritual specialist called nganga.

In the examples offered for sale at Christie’s, these figures often feature a ventral or cranial cavity containing bilongo, sometimes sealed with a mirror or glass, intended to reflect and channel the spirits; inlays of metallic elements, nails or blades are added to the body to “awaken” the power of the nkisi during invocation, protection, healing or social justice rituals.

A particular type, the nkisi nkondi, is characterized by a dense accumulation of nails and metal objects: these figures are designed as spiritual hunters, tasked with tracking witches, protecting communities, or sealing oaths.

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Based in Belgium, our appraisal and sales house specializes in African and ethnographic art. A leading seller on Catawiki for over 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with a customer satisfaction rate close to 100%.

We regularly assist with liquidations, estates, and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is designed to be rigorous, transparent and accessible, with sales often offered without a reserve price.

Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.

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