Nail Figure, between 1875 and 1900 African Tribal Art -1808

  
Nail Figure, between 1875 and 1900-12.5/8.5 CM. This Nail Figure served as doctor, judge, and priest. It was carved to capture the power of spirits (minkisi, singular nkisi), which was necessary for healing and adjudicating disputes. The figure was filled with powerful magical substances (bilongo) by priests (naganga) who tended it in a shrine and made its spirit powers available to individuals.

The large cowrie shell held strong medicines that gave the sculpture its power. This nkisi n'kondi would have originally worn a large beard and a straw skirt.

When an agreement was reached, both sides would swear an oath before the nkisi n'kondi and drive iron blades or nails into it to seal the oath. In this way the figure's supernatural powers could be called upon to punish those who broke their oaths.

An original patina covers the item. New listing African Tribal Art Vintage Wooden Carved Fang Mask Hand Carved Tribal Mask--1807. African Tribal Art Mask Vintage Wooden Carved African BAULE GURO NICE MON - 1676. Authentic Antique Hand Carved African Mask Art Rare Gu Mask Ivory Coast 1338.

African masks Tankagle and Bagle DAN Mask African Mask 1672. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\African\1900-Now\Masks". The seller is "naga_4823" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.

1. Handmade: Yes
2. Modified Item: No
3. Country/Region of Manufacture: Burkina Faso
4. Culture: African
5. Provenance: Ownership History Not Available
6. Time Period Manufactured: 1600-1900