ALTAR STATUE - KONGO-VILI - Bakongo - DR Congo
08
days
03
hours
40
minutes
21
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Starting bid
€ 1
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Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 170 - € 200
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Description from the seller
Origin. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tribe name. Bakongo
Material. Wood
Dimension. 40 cm
Mode of shipping. Colissimo within 24-48h, open.
This decorative piece is a fascinating work of traditional Kongo art, more precisely attributable to the Vili group (coastal region of the Republic of the Congo, Cabinda, or the DRC).
This figurine belongs to the category of Minkisi (singular: Nkisi). They are not mere decorative objects, but receptacles meant to house spiritual forces for protection, healing, or justice.
The ventral receptacle (Bilongo): The most distinctive element is the circular cavity at abdomen level. Originally it contained magical-medicinal substances (bilongo), often sealed by a piece of mirror or glass. The mirror allowed the spirit world to "see" intruders or culprits.
The posture: The figure is depicted crouching or semi-bent on a circular base, a posture that suggests both tension, vigilance, and ritual readiness.
The Vili style is distinguished by a certain naturalism, particularly visible in the treatment of the face:
The gaze: The eyes are often inlaid with glass or porcelain (or painted white), symbolizing clairvoyance and the ability to see in the world of the invisible.
The head and the headdress: The cranium is elongated, crowned with a sculpted headdress that often resembles the mpu cap worn by chiefs or notables, marking the high social status of the represented entity.
The arms: The arms are sculpted here in an angular manner, brought forward, which emphasizes the geometry of the chest and the importance of the central receptacle.
Wood: The piece is carved from dense, dark wood.
Additional elements: The presence of fibers or textiles at the base of the abdomen (the fiber "skirt") reinforces the ritual and "dressed" aspect of the statue.
Symbolic synthesis
In Kongo-Vili culture, such a statue serves as an intermediary between the world of the living and that of the ancestors. It embodies a force capable of biting (n'kisi derives from a root meaning "to bite" or "to burn") to punish wrongdoers or to protect the clan against sorcery.
Expert note: The absence of the mirror or the original contents in the ventral cavity is common on collectible pieces, as these elements are sometimes removed before sale to "deactivate" the object's spiritual charge.
Origin. Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tribe name. Bakongo
Material. Wood
Dimension. 40 cm
Mode of shipping. Colissimo within 24-48h, open.
This decorative piece is a fascinating work of traditional Kongo art, more precisely attributable to the Vili group (coastal region of the Republic of the Congo, Cabinda, or the DRC).
This figurine belongs to the category of Minkisi (singular: Nkisi). They are not mere decorative objects, but receptacles meant to house spiritual forces for protection, healing, or justice.
The ventral receptacle (Bilongo): The most distinctive element is the circular cavity at abdomen level. Originally it contained magical-medicinal substances (bilongo), often sealed by a piece of mirror or glass. The mirror allowed the spirit world to "see" intruders or culprits.
The posture: The figure is depicted crouching or semi-bent on a circular base, a posture that suggests both tension, vigilance, and ritual readiness.
The Vili style is distinguished by a certain naturalism, particularly visible in the treatment of the face:
The gaze: The eyes are often inlaid with glass or porcelain (or painted white), symbolizing clairvoyance and the ability to see in the world of the invisible.
The head and the headdress: The cranium is elongated, crowned with a sculpted headdress that often resembles the mpu cap worn by chiefs or notables, marking the high social status of the represented entity.
The arms: The arms are sculpted here in an angular manner, brought forward, which emphasizes the geometry of the chest and the importance of the central receptacle.
Wood: The piece is carved from dense, dark wood.
Additional elements: The presence of fibers or textiles at the base of the abdomen (the fiber "skirt") reinforces the ritual and "dressed" aspect of the statue.
Symbolic synthesis
In Kongo-Vili culture, such a statue serves as an intermediary between the world of the living and that of the ancestors. It embodies a force capable of biting (n'kisi derives from a root meaning "to bite" or "to burn") to punish wrongdoers or to protect the clan against sorcery.
Expert note: The absence of the mirror or the original contents in the ventral cavity is common on collectible pieces, as these elements are sometimes removed before sale to "deactivate" the object's spiritual charge.
Details
Number of objects
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Bakongo
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
ALTAR STATUE - KONGO-VILI
Height
40 cm
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