Bakongo - Belgian Congo (No reserve price)

The Bakongo masks are used to protect the home; the largest Nkondi statues would protect an entire village. Covered with bags of magical herbs and sprinkled with blades and nails, which, once the shaman activates them, would protect through their spiritual power.

The mirror on the belly, visible on some Nkondi statues, covers a filled cavity. It is said to be intended to repel evil spirits.

Some African Nkondi statues take the form of a dog, because of their ability to protect and seek out the forces of evil.

The old Bakongo fetishes are very rare pieces.

The Bakongo had masks and other objects that are less well known.

The Bakongo masks

With their neighbors, the Yombe, the Bakongo people have the peculiarity of possessing masks with white faces, a color often associated with the spiritual world.

These Bakongo masks are less common than the Bakongo Nkondi fetish statues, whose power is better known.

These Bakongo masks usually feature glass eyes, magical cavities, and nails inserted as with the fetish statues.