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Figure (Nkishi)
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The substances contained in its cloth-covered cranial cavity indicate that this half-figure belongs to the broad category of charms or “power objects” that the Luba call <em>mankishi</em>. It was used by a ritual expert and functioned in a variety of rituals dealing with healing, protection, divination, or jurisdiction. Often such power figures were carved by the ritual experts rather than by professional artists.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Luba-style maker |
|---|---|
| Date | late 1800s–early 1900s |
| Culture / Origin | Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Luba-style maker |
| Medium | Wood, organic materials (including resin and soil), plant fiber, and glass beads |
| Dimensions | Overall: 22.4 x 10.7 x 12.4 cm (8 13/16 x 4 3/16 x 4 7/8 in.) |
| Department | African Art |
| Type | Sculpture |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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