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a wooden statue of a man with a backpack on his backa wooden statue of a man with a backpack on his backa wooden statue of a man with a hat on his headan old wooden figurine of a man with a hat on his heada wooden statue of a man holding a book on a black backgrounda close up of a statue of a man with a bird on his shouldera wooden statue of a man with a backpack on his back
AGUTTES

Estimate €300 - €500
Sale commission
Description
NKISI YOMBE Yombe nkisi statuette (Kongo). Height: 45 cm 20th century. Heavy, dark brown wood, iron ring, cords, animal-skin cap, feathers. The head is covered with a traditional mpu cap made of animal hide, a symbol of chieftain authority, secured with small pins. The face is covered with a thick patina that is light on the left and dark on the right. The slightly parted mouth reveals two upper teeth and the tongue. The body features a ventral mirror. A cord belt secures a few feathers that protrude along the ventral mirror. The ribs are visible and likely suggest a condition known as lubanzi (the ribs) or some other form of pneumonia. The figure is depicted in a confident, almost defiant pose, with one hand resting on the hip and the other on the knee, a stance reinforced by the look of disdain on the face. The animal-skin cap and the thick patina covering the face confer upon him vital force and powers, which are further enhanced by the ventral mirror, enabling him to see into the invisible world from which the spirits govern the material world below. These attributes make the object a fetish of protection and healing.   Provenance: Pierre Redouin Collection Description: An amusing detail: bridging the gap between tradition and modernism, the quill of a small bird’s feather glued to the side of the statuette suggests that it is connected to the invisible world via a mystical radio wave.
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About the sale The Breath of the Spirits: The Collection of Pierre Redouin and Others
Auction location
Auction time 09/24/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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