ANTIQUE 19C. AFRICAN BAKONGO NKISI NAIL FETISH NKONDE

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Offered for bids is an ANTIQUE AFRICAN BAKONGO NKISI OR NKONDE, RARE EXAMPLE AUTHENTIC ANTIQUE LATE 19TH CENTURY-EARLY 20TH CENTURY, THIS IS NOT A CONTEMPORARY TOURIST ITEM WITH ROUND NAILS, IT IS A TRUE BAKONGO RITUAL ITEM SIMPLE AND RITUALLY CORRECT WITH METAL SHARDS BEING USED, AUTHENTIC MUSEUM QUALITY PIECE, COMES WITH GLASS EYES AND MAGIC BOX ON THE BELLY FULL OF MEDICINE AND GLASS COVER STILL IN TACT, BINDINGS ALL STILL INTACT AND IT HAS A IRON BOW ON ITS LEFT HAND! CONGO TRIBE, THIS STATUE BELONG TO THE CATEGORY MAGIC FETISH STATUETTES AND IS USED IN MAGICAL RITUALS TO CONTROL THE SPIRITS CALLED NKONDI Condition as expected of any late 19th cent NKISI, please see PICS on condition, loos of wood, age crack, oxidation on iron scraps etc.... which is expected after years of ritual use and only attest to its age. GREAT PATINA AND CHARACTER, IN EXCELLENT CONDITION FOR AGE. Please see pictures for details on condition and quality of the NKISI. This stunning piece measures 18 inches in height by 8.5 inches wide and 8 inches thick, small opening on the bottom were the display stand peg is placed. SO IT IS A NICE LARGE PIECE OF AFRICAN ART. These types of fetishes are taken to the local medicine witch doctor (Nganga) who "energizes" the fetish through numerous ceremonies. Once the ritual is complete, the owner places the fetish either near the entrance of the main entrance to ward off evil spirits and protects the entire family from harm. Some may opt to place the fetish on an alter. Candles are lit to the fetish which gives it strength.Fetishes were protective figures used by individuals, families, or whole communities to destroy or weakenevil spirits, prevent or cure illnesses, repel bad deeds, solemnize contracts or oath-taking, and decidearguments. A diviner or holy person would activate the statue, using magical substances. Fetishes gainedpower and were effective because people believed in them.The nkondi are the most powerful of the nkisi. They were used to identify and hunt down unknown wrongdoers such as thieves, and people who were believed to cause sickness or death by occult means. They were also used to punish people who swore false oaths and villages which broke treaties. To inspire the nkondi to action, it was both invoked and provoked. Invocations, in bloodthirsty language, encouragedit to punish the guilty party. It would also be provoked by having gunpowder exploded in front of it, andhaving nails hammered into it. They were also used to literally "hammer out agreements"...with clearimplications as to what would happen to people who broke the agreements.The diviner, or fetishist, operates in principle for the good of all. His help is sought in times of need, for he is seen as the mediator between members ofthe tribe and all the powers of darkness. For this reason he also acts as healer.Great POWERFUL ritual item. Initial bid is my cost when I acquired it, a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire such an extremely rare item. Here is a rare and extremely beautiful example of a rare ANTIQUE NKISI NAIL FETISH with proper patina. For display or for use, this genuine ritual object lends a powerful authenticity to any collection of African artifacts. Buyer pays $20 to ship in the US with insurance, international buyers pay actual shipping and insurance by International Express Mail. PICS speak for themselves. Please ask any questions before bidding. read more

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