Ancestral Fetish - Songye - DR Congo
05
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17
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10
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€ 1
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Description from the seller
Congo RDC
Songyé
Bois
Height: 280mm
Width: 75mm
Depth: 95mm
Here are the details concerning the origin, stylistic specifics and ritual use of this statuette.
Geographical and cultural origin
• People: Songye (or Songe).
• Region: Central and southeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), along the Lomami River.
• Visible stylistic characteristics: The piece shows the classic traits of Songye statuary, notably the imposing head with a strong, square chin, almond-shaped stretched eyes, a full mouth with well-defined lips, as well as the solemn posture with the hands placed on either side of a very protruding and rounded abdomen.
•
Ritual use and function (Nkishi)
• The protective fetish (Nkishi): In Songye language, this type of anthropomorphic statuette is called Nkishi (plural Mankishi). It is not a purely decorative object or a simple idol, but a receptacle designed to channel spiritual forces or powerful protective spirits.
• Activation by magical substances (Bishimba): To be effective, the statue had to be “charged” by a diviner-healer (Nganga). The latter inserted magical and organic materials called Bishimba (sacred soils, horns, herbs, oils or claws) either inside the skull (at the top of the head) or directly at the level of the prominent navel. Notably, there is a cavity or a clearly distinct circular insertion mark at the top of the statuette’s head.
• Social and spiritual role: Depending on its size, a Nkishi had a community role (protecting an entire village from epidemics, wars or sorcerers) or a strictly individual/family role. Given the usual proportions of this type, it is generally a domestic-use statuette, serving to protect the home from the evil eye, to promote fertility of the women of the household, and to ensure the health of the family.
In view of all observed details (honeyed patina, geometric structure and the ritual cavity at the top of the head), this work fits perfectly within the tradition of the great statuary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
To summarize its key aspects:
• The Patina: The shiny nuances on the face and torso testify to repeated handling, often linked to ritual rubbing during prayers or requests for protection.
• Woodwork: The facets visible on the back of the limbs and on the back show that the sculptor deliberately left the marks of his adze. This vigorous aesthetic is sought after among the Songye, as it expresses brute force and the formidable character of the fetish.
• Disactivation: The fact that the cranial cavity is now empty indicates that the statue was probably “deactivated” (its magical substances or horn removed) before being ceded or collected, a common practice to remove its potentially dangerous spiritual charge for non-initiates.
The parcels are shipped from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo international.
We speak english
Mask african art African mask art
arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateCongo RDC
Songyé
Bois
Height: 280mm
Width: 75mm
Depth: 95mm
Here are the details concerning the origin, stylistic specifics and ritual use of this statuette.
Geographical and cultural origin
• People: Songye (or Songe).
• Region: Central and southeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), along the Lomami River.
• Visible stylistic characteristics: The piece shows the classic traits of Songye statuary, notably the imposing head with a strong, square chin, almond-shaped stretched eyes, a full mouth with well-defined lips, as well as the solemn posture with the hands placed on either side of a very protruding and rounded abdomen.
•
Ritual use and function (Nkishi)
• The protective fetish (Nkishi): In Songye language, this type of anthropomorphic statuette is called Nkishi (plural Mankishi). It is not a purely decorative object or a simple idol, but a receptacle designed to channel spiritual forces or powerful protective spirits.
• Activation by magical substances (Bishimba): To be effective, the statue had to be “charged” by a diviner-healer (Nganga). The latter inserted magical and organic materials called Bishimba (sacred soils, horns, herbs, oils or claws) either inside the skull (at the top of the head) or directly at the level of the prominent navel. Notably, there is a cavity or a clearly distinct circular insertion mark at the top of the statuette’s head.
• Social and spiritual role: Depending on its size, a Nkishi had a community role (protecting an entire village from epidemics, wars or sorcerers) or a strictly individual/family role. Given the usual proportions of this type, it is generally a domestic-use statuette, serving to protect the home from the evil eye, to promote fertility of the women of the household, and to ensure the health of the family.
In view of all observed details (honeyed patina, geometric structure and the ritual cavity at the top of the head), this work fits perfectly within the tradition of the great statuary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
To summarize its key aspects:
• The Patina: The shiny nuances on the face and torso testify to repeated handling, often linked to ritual rubbing during prayers or requests for protection.
• Woodwork: The facets visible on the back of the limbs and on the back show that the sculptor deliberately left the marks of his adze. This vigorous aesthetic is sought after among the Songye, as it expresses brute force and the formidable character of the fetish.
• Disactivation: The fact that the cranial cavity is now empty indicates that the statue was probably “deactivated” (its magical substances or horn removed) before being ceded or collected, a common practice to remove its potentially dangerous spiritual charge for non-initiates.
The parcels are shipped from Monday to Saturday with insurance and tracking number.
Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union.
Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo international.
We speak english
Mask african art African mask art
arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane
Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
Ancestral Fetish
Ethnic group/ culture
Songye
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
