Reliquary of Songye style - Lot 130

Reliquary of Songye style Democratic Republic of Congo Wood, chains, bells, horns, leather, copper, plastic buttons, cowries, hair, copper rings, upholstery nails, iron, stone H : 54,5 cm (without chains) Statuette representing a small man perched on a shapeless heap covered with leather and at the end of which hang two chains with bells. The body presents angular elements: the knees are pointed, the belly is bulging and framed by the hands described by two oblique elements. Around his waist, in his navel and around his neck are copper rings. The facial features are very expressive. The face is covered with upholstery nails and incisions. This heavily loaded statuette is a "Nkisi" fetish figure, a reliquary keeper. The upholsterer's nails on the body allude to the scars that smallpox can leave on the body as smallpox epidemics were common among the Songye. The combination of metallic and organic surplus that can be seen on this statue reinforces its magical power. SONGYE STYLE - RELIQUARY 54,5 CM