BAKONGO FETISH FIGURE (NKISI NKONDI) – DRC (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO)

Powerful and arresting, this Nkisi Nkondi figure is a traditional power object created by the Bakongo people of Central Africa. Commonly known as a “fetish figure,” this sculpture is embedded with iron nails and blades—each driven in to activate the spiritual force housed within the figure.

Features:

• Origin: Bakongo People, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Material: Wood, iron nails, metal blades, pigment, and ritual substances
• Dimensions: [Insert measurements if known]
• Function: Spiritual enforcement, oaths, healing, protection, or justice
• Design: Human figure with a dynamic, commanding stance; eyes often inlaid to signify awareness and spiritual presence; chest cavity once sealed with medicinal or sacred matter (bilongo)

Cultural Significance:

Nkisi Nkondi are spirit figures created under the guidance of a nganga (ritual specialist) and believed to house ancestral or spiritual forces. Each nail, blade, or metal object represents a vow, conflict, or invocation—physically “nailing” the spirit to action. Whether used to settle disputes, seal agreements, or ward off evil, the Nkondi commands reverence as an agent of divine justice and protection.

Its fearsome appearance—with an accumulation of sharp protrusions—is intended to reflect its potency and ability to "hunt wrongdoers" in the community.

Collector’s Note:

This rare and deeply symbolic work embodies both spiritual and artistic intensity. Ideal for collectors of African tribal art, museums, or curators of spiritual artefacts, the Nkisi Nkondi is not merely decorative—it is a piece that speaks to the intersection of art, belief, and power in African cultural heritage.

BUSH COW MASK – TIKAR, CAMEROON

Celebrate the rich artistic heritage of Cameroon with this striking Bush Cow Mask from the Tikar people. Hand-carved from wood and adorned with traditional pigments, this ceremonial mask features a powerful representation of the bush cow—an animal deeply respected in Tikar cosmology for its strength, spirit, and significance in agrarian life.

Features:

• Origin: Tikar Tribe, Grassfields region, Cameroon
• Material: Carved hardwood with natural pigments, metal studs, and bead inlays
• Dimensions: [Insert measurements if known]
• Function: Traditionally used in masquerades, rites of passage, or fertility rituals
• Design: Intricate circular motifs across the surface; vibrant beadwork around the eyes and horns; dynamic form with forward-thrusting horns and expressive features

Cultural Significance:

The bush cow is a symbol of vital force and protection in Tikar society. Masks like this are worn by performers during festive ceremonies to invoke ancestral spirits, mediate between the living and the dead, or signal seasonal transitions. The use of geometric motifs and bold facial features reflects a deep symbolic language unique to the Tikar's spiritual worldview.

Collector's Note:

This piece is not only a remarkable example of Central African artistry but also a compelling conversation piece. Whether displayed as an interior statement or preserved as part of an ethnographic collection, the Bush Cow Mask offers both visual impact and cultural depth.