Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka)

19th century, inventoried 1912

Not on view

Returned to lender

This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.

Among the significant features of this figure contributed by the nganga that remain fully intact is a massive beard (vevo) composed of clay, palm wine, animal hair and hide, raffia fiber, and resin. In order to construct the beard, two black parallel lines were drawn along the edges of the jaw as guidelines for hammering rows of strips or pins of iron that provided a base. Heated resin was applied in layers to the iron armature to provide a sticky bed for the long strips of hide, hair, and vegetable matter. Once all these elements were in place, a second layer of resin was applied to the nails and strips that concealed them from view.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Power Figure (Nkisi N'Kondi: Mangaaka)
Date: 19th century, inventoried 1912
Geography: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chiloango River region; Republic of the Congo; Angola, Cabinda
Culture: Kongo peoples; Yombe group
Medium: Wood (Vitex thonneri De Wild.), iron, resin, cowrie shell, animal hide and hair, ceramic, plant fiber, textile, pigment
Dimensions: H. 52 in. (132 cm), W. 19 1/4 in. (49 cm), D. 13 3/4 in. (35 cm).
Classification: Wood-Sculpture
Credit Line: Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing