Ancestor figure - kanyok - Congo

Wood, metal, beads, "magical" charge

13 cm

Provenance

.Gallery of the Saint-Jacques Alley, Pierre DARTEVELLE according to the former owner
.Collection Canadian? Italian private collection G.R

Literature

The Kanyok of Zaire – John C. Yoder

Ritual wooden sculpture from the Kaniok people of the Kasai region, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The main figure is characterized by a janiform head, that is, carved with two opposite faces. This symbolic configuration often refers to an ability to vigilance and knowledge in two directions, evoking the watchfulness over the visible world and the spiritual world.

On either side of this main figure are two small amulets, attached to the central body by iron wire links encircling the waist and arms.

In the Kaniok ceremonial context, this type of object could function as a support of power or protection, used in practices related to mastery of invisible forces, the protection of the community, or the action of a ritual specialist.

Original invoice
photocopy of the photograph of the object