Bakongo Tribal Sculpture Africa Art

RARE LARGE NKONDI MONKEY FETISH FROM THE KONGO-BAKONGO OF THE BELGIAN CONGO – BEFORE 1940 1200 g 40 cm height This anthropo-zoomorphic statuette is both a fetish intended to be charged with a magical force, and both an ancestral tutelary figure linked to the genealogy of the clan of which the monkey is probably a totemic figure. This type of fetish, in addition to protection and power charging, was integrated into rituals allowing contact with mythical and/or tutelary ancestors. The Vili, the Lâri, the Sûndi, the Woyo, the Bembe, the Bwende, the Yombe and the Kôngo were all groups constituting the Kôngo kingdom ruled by a king Ntotela. These groups, of sometimes very different genealogies, ethnic groups and origins, were on the other hand all united in the same set of beliefs and traditions which had in common the same understanding of a world interpenetrated both with the invisible forces of nature and at the same time that of the spirits of the deceased... the great tutelary ancestors often merging into the same anthropo-zoomorphic personalization that was called during rituals during which the Nganga had the responsibility of activating the fetishes by means of a magic charge. This very old piece was part of a Belgian collection collected in the first half of the 20th century and which was dispersed at the end of the 1970s. Condition: In good condition considering its age with signs of wear and aging. It has a wonderful patina of age. Thank you so much for visiting AfricaArtSpirit, your mystery portal to the best kept treasures of Africa. Explore all our collections at: https://www.ballwool.com/shop/africaartspirit Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or wish to learn more about any of our pieces from our special art collection. Thank you so much!