Nkisi (medicine figure)

Maker Unknown, Songye (Songe)

MediumGlass beads, brass/bronze, cloth, copper, fiber, leather/skin, metal/tin, shell, wood, nails, copper, brass

Dimensions34”

Credit LineGift of the Herman Copen Trust

Object numberAF2002.2351.COP

DescriptionLarge female standing Nkisi figure. Small leather packets are attached around the top and back of the head and covered with a rawhide strip with twisted rawhide “hair.” She has cowrie shell eyes, beaten copper strips from forehead to nose and across cheeks, projecting mouth, square chin, blue and white beads around the neck, hands at waist, and a cavity in the stomach covered with beaten copper and nails. A rope belt around the waist holds a leather front loincloth and cloth rear loincloth. A brass crotal bell hangs from the end of the rope. There is a cavity also at the top of the head.

ClassificationsSculpture

Collections

Exhibitions

Gender and Society in Africa

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