A Songye Miniature Figure,"nkisi"

Miniature figure, "nkisi" Songye, DR Congo Ohne Sockel / without base Wood. H 19 cm. Provenance: - according to owner: Walter Leuzinger (1935-2019), Riehen. - Swiss private collection, Schwyz (2012). The magic figures called "minkisi" (singular "nkisi") granted protection against diseases, infertility and other mischief and could, for example, also provide help in unsolved crimes. They were able to do this through their concentrated powers, which they stored in the form of all kinds of magical substances. These powers could be discharged during ritual ceremonies and meetings and made usable for the owners. In contrast to the large representations, which were in the service of a whole community and used their magical effect for numerous persons and families, the smaller versions of this type of figure had a private character and were in the possession of individual persons or a household. Further reading: Neyt, François (2004). La redoutable statuaire Songye d'Afrique Centrale. Brussels: Fonds Mercator. CHF 1 000 / 2 000 EUR 1 000 / 2 000