Songye Ancestor Statue - DR Congo

Origin. Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Tribe name. Songye.
Material. Wood, nails. Horn
Dimensions. 65 cm
Shipping method. Colissimo in 24–48 hours

This piece is a Songye magical statue (from the Democratic Republic of the Congo), often called a Nkishi (or Bichi in the plural). These power figures serve protective, judicial, or healing purposes within the community.
​Morphological and stylistic description
​The headdress and upper charge: The head is topped with a large animal horn standing vertically, inserted into the top of the skull. Traditionally, this horn held magical substances (bilongo) intended to activate the statue's power. The skull is covered in leather or hide and studded with numerous metal elements.
​The face: It displays the characteristic features of Songye art: outlined almond-shaped eyes, a pronounced triangular nose, and a slightly open mouth revealing the teeth, giving it an expression that is both expressive and fearsome. The face and cheeks are heavily studded with small metal nails.
​Adornments and attributes:
​The neck is adorned with a necklace of blue glass beads.
​Metal bells (or rattles) hang at the sides from natural-fiber cords. Their ringing was used to invoke the spirit or awaken the statue's power during rituals.
​The body and posture:
​The body is carved from dark wood with an aged, worn patina.
​The arms are bent, with the hands meeting on either side of a prominent abdomen, often associated with fertility and the seat of life or vital force. A small metal disk is embedded in the center of the belly.
​The statue stands with bent legs resting on a massive, carved circular base.