6 - Figure de pouvoir Nkishi — Style Eki, Songye, République Démocratique du Congo

Figure de pouvoir Nkishi — Style Eki, Songye, République Démocratique du Congo Early 20th century Carved wood and horn H. 28 cm Height with base: 30.5 cm With its remarkable sculptural composition, this small Nkishi power figure is distinguished by the precision of its frontal construction, the geometric forms of its volumes, and the concentrated intensity of its face. Its small size links it to the corpus of protective figures intended for personal or family use, as opposed to the large Mankishi effigies designed to protect an entire community. The figure has a compact and powerfully structured silhouette, whose frontal orientation reinforces the impression of vigilance. The short legs, firmly planted on a circular base, contrast with a more developed torso, while the arms fold with great precision around the protruding navel region. “The significance of the protruding abdominal area housing the bishimba (the magical charge) is emphasized by the position of the hands placed on either side of the navel as a sign of protection” (Neyt 2004, cited on p. 289). Stylistically, the work can be linked to the Western Songye tradition associated with the Eki. François Neyt has identified several traditions and workshops within Songye statuary. Eki works are characterized in particular by a distinctively geometric construction, powerfully structured faces, and—depending on the corpus—particularly elaborate hairstyles and ornaments. However, comparisons with the Eki should be understood as an attribution of tradition or workshop rather than as an absolute geographical certainty. Provenance - Vander Straete Collection, Brussels - Private collection, Brussels - Éric Hertault, Paris - Private collection, Paris Littérature Dunja Hersak, Songye Masks and Figure Sculpture, London, Ethnographica, 1986 François Neyt, Songye: The Formidable Songye Sculptures of Central Africa, Brussels, Fonds Mercator, 2004 Dunja Hersak, “Reviewing Power, Process, and Statement: The Case of Songye Figures,” in *African Arts*, vol. 43, 2010, pp. 38–51