Power figure (nkisi) / Artist Unknown, African, Yaka Peoples, Democratic Republic of the Congo

About this Item

Accession Number: 1997/1.346
Title: Power figure (nkisi)
Artist: Artist Unknown, African, Yaka Peoples, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Artist Nationality: Congolese (Zairean)
Medium and Support: wood with traces of pigment, animal horn and string
Object Creation Date: 20th century
Object Creation Place: Africa (continent); Congo, Democratic Republic of the (nation)
Creation Place 1: Africa (continent)
Creation Place 2: Congo, Democratic Republic of the (nation)
Credit Line: Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis
Dimensions: 53 cm x 8.7 cm x 12.5 cm (20 7/8 in. x 3 7/16 in. x 4 15/16 in.)
Century: 20th century
Primary Object Classification: Decorative Arts
Physical Description: Carved wooden human figure attached to an animal's horn. A plug or mushroom shaped projection extends from the human figure's head.
Subject Matter: Nkisi is a generic term for a class of power objects. These objects are employed as solutions to social and physical problems. They are ritually charged objects, able to facilitate movement of spirits between differnet points of existence.
Primary Keywords: figures; horn
Secondary Keywords: horns; objects; people and occupations
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Collection: University of Michigan Museum of Art
Image Size: 2110 x 3454
File Size: 975 KB
Record: 1997/1.346
Link to this Item: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1997-sl-1.346/1997_1_346a.jpg

Manifest: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/manifest/musart:1997-SL-1.346:1997_1_346A.JPG

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Full citation: "Power figure (nkisi); Artist Unknown, African, Yaka Peoples, Democratic Republic of the Congo." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-1997-sl-1.346/1997_1_346a.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 13, 2024.