Brooklyn Museum: Arts of Africa: Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)

07:17 04/14/2009

Many thanks - we had a small backlog in location changes which has now been fixed.

posted by

shelley

18:30 04/03/2009

I think this object IS on view.

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Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)

An nkisi nkondi serves as a container for potent ingredients used in magic and medicine in judicial and healing contexts. To make an nkisi nkondi, a carver begins by sculpting a male human or animal figure with a cavity in the abdomen. Then a ritual expert completes the work by placing ingredients with supernatural powers on the object and in the cavity provided. He activates the figure by breathing into the cavity and immediately seals it off with a mirror. Nails and blades are driven into the figure, either to affirm an oath or to destroy an evil force responsible for an affliction or disruption of the community. The pose, with hands on hips, symbolizes the nkondi's readiness to defend a righteous person and to destroy an enemy.

Culture: Kongo (Kakongo subgroup)
Medium: Wood, iron, glass mirror, resin, pigment
Possible Place Made: Kongo Central Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Dates: 19th century
Dimensions: 33 7/8 x 13 3/4 x 11 in. (86 x 34.9 x 27.9 cm)
Collections: Arts of Africa
Museum Location: This item is not on view
Accession Number: 22.1421
Credit Line: Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
Rights Statement: Creative Commons-BY-NC
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Caption: Kongo (Kakongo subgroup). Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi), 19th century. Wood, iron, glass mirror, resin, pigment, 33 7/8 x 13 3/4 x 11 in. (86 x 34.9 x 27.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1421. Creative Commons-BY-NC
Image: Side, 22.1421_profile_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don't yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.

Catalogue Description: Image of a man, stuck with nails and knives. Mirror in navel. Free carved feet standing on a block. Hands at hips. Stained white in most parts. Four flat pronged high headdress. Open mouth with teeth and tongue showing. Bracelets around biceps. Condition: Good
Record Completeness: Best (91%)
Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and we welcome any additional information you might have.

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Collections: Arts of Africa: Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)