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African art - Fetish:

Fetishes are emblematic objects in primitive African art. Used by fetishists and marabouts, they are linked to a number of occult practices such as those used by voodoo.


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Kusu figure
African art > The fetish, this emblematic object of primitive art > Kusu figure

Individual protection figures such as ours, used by the Hemba and the Kusu, were inspired by Songye fetishes. The magic charge, composed of ingredients of various origins, was inserted at the top of the head where an orifice remains.
Irregular satin patina, erosions and gaps at the base. The Kusu established on the left bank of the Lualaba have borrowed the artistic traditions of the Luba and the Hemba and have a caste system similar to that of the Luba.
The Hemba for their part settled in the south-east of Zaire, on the right bank of the Lualaba. Formerly under the domination of the Luba, these farmers and hunters practice ancestor worship by means of effigies long attributed to the Luba. The singiti statues were kept by the fumu mwalo and honored during ceremonies ...


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190.00

Bronze Nigeria
African art > The fetish, this emblematic object of primitive art > Bronze Nigeria

Extract from a Belgian African tribal art collection of 17 pieces representing different subjects.

This object comes from northeastern Nigeria near Lake Chad, around Maiduguri, in the state of Borno, which is currently relatively inaccessible because it is controlled by armed Islamist groups. The dominant language is Kanuri.
It is a rare piece, associated with protective spirits, which was buried in the ground in order to preserve crops from animals or thieves. The Damosaka families, a very little known minority ethnic group in the region, had this type of ritual object. We have no information about them. This is a male figure whose hands meet in front of the bust. Very thick grainy patina of verdigris oxidation. Stone-like clumps remain on the coin.


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780.00

Kusu Fetish
African art > The fetish, this emblematic object of primitive art > Kusu Fetish

French collection of African art. Classic African sculpture of the Kusu, this subject is devoid of the magical charge at the top.
Glossy patina of use, erosions and cracks, gaps.
The Kusu established on the left bank of the Lualaba have borrowed the artistic traditions of the Luba and Hemba and have a caste system similar to that of the Luba. The Hemba, for their part, established themselves in the south-east of Zaire, on the right bank of the Lualaba. Formerly under the domination of the Luba, these farmers and hunters practice ancestor worship by means of effigies long attributed to the Luba. The singiti statues were preserved by the fumu mwalo and honored during ceremonies during which sacrifices were offered to them. Alongside the authority of hereditary chiefs, ...


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240.00

Statue Teke
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Statue Teke

The barrel bust of this Teké statue or dickke fetish, whose faces are topped with a wide crescent returning to the brows, has been hollowed out to house the mystical charge called "Bonga". A textile draped around the object, now missing, kept the load in its receptacle. Established between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon, the Teké were organized as chiefdoms, the leader of which was often chosen among the blacksmiths. The head of the family, mfumu , had the right to life or death over his family whose importance determined his prestige. The leader of the clan, ngantsié, kept the great protective fetish tar mantsié who oversaw all ceremonies. It is the powerful sorcerer healer and soothsayer who loaded " of magical elements, for retribution, individual statuettes or nkumi . ...


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250.00

Songye Fetish
African art > The fetish, this emblematic object of primitive art > Songye Fetish


The Kusu established on the left bank of the Lualaba have indeed borrowed the artistic traditions of the Luba and Hemba and have a caste system similar to that of the luba .  The Hemba settled in southeastern Zaire, on the right bank of the Lualaba River. Formerly under the rule of the Luba , these farmers and hunters practice the worship of ancestors by means of effigies long attributed to the Luba.The statues singiti were kept by the fumu mwalo and honored during ceremonies during which sacrifices were offered to them. Alongside the authority of hereditary chiefs, secret, male societies such as bukazanzi , and women, bukibilo , played a big role within the clan.
This statuette also recalls the productions of Songye and Nsapo, equipped with horns in which a magic charge was ...


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180.00

Zela Statuette
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Zela Statuette

Small statuette for individual use, whose head is pierced with a hole at the top for ritual purposes. A touching asymmetry of the ears is to be noted. Mottled patina of use.
Formerly subject to the Luba, then to the Lundas, the Zela have adopted a large part of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are today organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and dedicate offerings to the spirits of nature. In addition to their powerful Mbudye society, the Zela also have a women's initiation association called kisungu. ( Luba , Roberts, 5 Continents; "Treasures of Africa" ed. of the Museum of Tervuren; "100 ...


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250.00

Songye Fetish
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Songye Fetish

Female sculpture nkishi (pl. mankishi) with a face decorated with metal strips. The barrel body is draped in textile. Among the Songye, the addition of various accessories, metal, gimmicks, etc. would reinforce the qualities of the fetish. Matte patina, resinous flows. Erosions and cracks, gaps.

These protection fetishes intended for homes are among the most popular in Africa. The Nkisi plays the role of mediator between gods and men. Large examples are the collective property of an entire village, while smaller figures belong to an individual or family. In the 16th century, the Songyes migrated from the Shaba region to settle on the left bank of the Lualaba. Their society is organized in a patriarchal way. Their history is inseparable from that of the Luba to whom they are ...


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240.00

Yoruba Fetishes
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Yoruba Fetishes

Equipped with their protective adornments, the "abiku", colored beads and copper bracelets, these "ere" doll statuettes (statues), incarnations of twins in adult guise, would have been sculpted on the advice of the "babalawo".
Brilliant patina, colored highlights, drying cracks.

In the language of the Yoruba people, ibeji means twin: ibi for born and eji for two. They embody the figure of a deceased twin. Thisibedjiis then treated as the missing child would have been. It also happened that a man had ibeji carved for his wife in order to induce pregnancy. Support of the twin's soul, the ibeji influences the life of the family, becoming a source of benefits towards his parents, the latter continuing to address him prayers and to devote worship and libations to him. Among ...


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450.00

Songye Fetish
African art > The fetish, this emblematic object of primitive art > Songye Fetish

The abdominal cavity of this African sculpture Nkisi, nkishi (pl. mankishi) is devoid of magical charge bishimba. For the Songye, the power of the fetish was reinforced thanks to various accessories, metal, gimmicks, etc... Slightly satiny brown patina. Minor desiccation cracks.

These protection fetishes intended for homes are among the most popular in Africa. The Nkisi plays the role of mediator between gods and men. Large examples are the collective property of an entire village, the smaller ones belong to an individual or a family. In the 16th century, the Songyes migrated from the Shaba region to settle on the left bank of the Lualaba. Their society is organized in a patriarchal way. Their history is inseparable from that of the Luba to whom they are related through ...


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140.00

Bembe figure
African art > The fetish, this emblematic object of primitive art > Bembe figure

Statuette embodying the spirit of a female ancestor, whose keloid scars testify to the successive stages of initiation to which the individual was subjected. Sometimes set with ivory or earthenware, the almond-shaped eyes are encrusted with bone. Glossy red-brown patina.

Established on the plateaus of the People's Republic of Congo ex.Brazzaville, and not to be confused with the Bembe group of northern Lake Tanganinyika, the small Babembé group, Béembé, was influenced by the rites and culture Téké, but especially by that of the Kongo. Settled in the current Republic of Congo, the Béembé originally formed the kingdom of Kongo, with the Vili, Yombé, Bwendé and Woyo. The head of the village, nga-bula, was responsible for interceding with the ancestors. Hunting being a major activity, ...


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180.00

Bembe fetish
African art > The fetish, this emblematic object of primitive art > Bembe fetish

Represented naked and squatting, this ancestor figure bears the keloid signs testifying to the successive stages of initiation to which the individual was subjected. Sometimes set with ivory or earthenware, the almond-shaped eyes are encrusted with bone. Shiny orange-brown patina. Erosions and cracks.

Established on the plateaus of the People's Republic of Congo ex.Brazzaville, and not to be confused with the Bembe group of northern Lake Tanganinyika, the small Babembé group, Béembé, was influenced by the Téké rites and culture, but especially by that of the Kongo. Settled in the current Republic of Congo, the Béembé originally formed the kingdom of Kongo, with the Vili, Yombé, Bwendé and Woyo. Hunting being a major activity, the ancestors were invoked through statuettes. These ...


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180.00

Teke Fetishes
African art > The fetish, this emblematic object of primitive art > Teke Fetishes

In the very diverse teke statuary, bundzi fetishes are associated with the hunting that they are supposed to promote. While some belonged to the clan, others were dedicated to private use. Desiccation cracks. Honey-tinted satin patina.
Established between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon, the Téké were organized into chiefdoms whose leader was often chosen from among the blacksmiths. The head of the family, mfumu, had the right of life or death over his family, the importance of which determined his prestige. The head of the clan, ngantsié, kept the great protective fetish tar mantsié which supervised all the ceremonies. It is the powerful sorcerer, healer and soothsayer who "charged" the individual statuettes with magical elements, for a fee. It was also according to his ...


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490.00

Sundi Fetish
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Sundi Fetish

In addition to their weapons and prestigious objects, their funerary sculpture, the Sundi made use, individually and collectively, of fetishes of conjuration or fertility often equipped with a magic charge. The female subject treated in a naturalistic way is frozen in a posture highlighting her abdomen. Crusty brown patina, desiccation cracks, erosions.
The Vili , the Lâri, the Sûndi, the Woyo, the Bembe, the Bwende, the Yombé and the Kôngo formed the Kôngo group, led by King ntotela . Their kingdom reached its peak in the 16th century with the trade in ivory, copper and the slave trade. With the same beliefs and traditions, they produced a statuary endowed with a codified gesture in relation to their vision of the world.


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150.00

Sundi Statuette
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Sundi Statuette

French African art collection.
African sculpture depicting a seated subject, whose hands conceal the mouth. The gesture could refer to a proverb. From the top of the hollowed head points the end of a cord. Brown satin patina, abrasions of use, shine (base).
The Vili , the Lâri, the Sûndi, the Woyo, the Bembe, the Bwende, the Yombé and the Kôngo formed the Kôngo group, led by King ntotela . Their kingdom reached its peak in the 16th century with the trade in ivory, copper and the slave trade. With the same beliefs and traditions, they produced statuary endowed with codified gestures in keeping with their vision of the world.

Source: "the ...


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125.00

Teke statuette
African art > The fetish, this emblematic object of primitive art > Teke statuette

An idea of receiving the mystical charge called "Bonga", this angular statue of his ancestor Téke was wrapped in a textile that was to hold the load in its receptacle.
Patine smooth shiny, mattified areas.
Andeblis between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon, the Teké were organized into chiefdoms whose leader was often chosen from among the blacksmiths. The head of the family, mfumu , had the right to life or death over his family whose importance determined his prestige. The leader of the clan, ngantsié , kept the great protective fetish tar mantsié who oversaw all the ceremonies. It is the powerful sorcerer healer and soothsayer who was unloaded" of magical elements, for retribution, individual statuettes or nkumi . According to the Teke, wisdom was absorbed and ...


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350.00

Lwalwa statuette
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Lwalwa statuette

Small ritual sculpture depicting a woman whose face evokes the mask Mfondo or Nkaki. Lwalwa statuary, rare, is linked to the fertility rites of the secret female society. Clear mahogany satin smooth patina. Cracks and abrasions.
This is near the Kasai River that the Lwalwa live, between Angola and Zaire. Historically with a matrilineal society, the Lwalwa, after having been influenced by Luba and Songy, adopted a patrilineal system within their rudimentary political and social organization. The nkaki, wood-carved mulela mask, is one of four types of masks produced by the privileged caste formed by their sculptors: These craftsmen, according to their merits, can become conductors and organize dances, including the balango, (also bangongo) during which acrobatics are performed by ...


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140.00

Zimba figure
African art > Terracotta, jar, amphora, funerary urn > Zimba figure

Like the Legas, the Zimbas have educational sculptures associated with initiation rites, but they also have anthropomorphic sculptures, in this case in terracotta, with openings for magical charges at the top of the head.
Erosions, heterogeneous patina with residual ochre incrustations.
The Zimba, also called Binja, are close neighbors of the Lega of the Pangi and Shabunda region of the DRC. Subject to Lega influence, they share some institutional similarities with the Lega and Luba. Whether they live in the forest or in the savannah, the symbolism of their art and rituals are associated with hunting, which is of major importance. They are also patrilineal groups that have eventually supplanted the matrilineal organization of their society. Like the Lega, the ...


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240.00

Kuba figure
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African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Kuba figure

The slightly asymmetrical design gives this rare Kuba statuette a unique character, leaving the lasting imprint of its creator. Expressionist features are distinguished by an oversized, grimacing, toothy mouth. From the body entirely streaked with hatching, the umbilicus and sex protrude. Satin black patina. Abrasions.
The Kuba and the tribes established between the Sankuru and Kasai rivers, including the Bushoong and Dengese also originating from the Mongo group, are renowned for the refinement of prestige objects created for members of the high ranks of their society. The Kuba kingdom was founded in the 16th century by the Bushoong who are still led today by a king or nyim, considered to be of divine origin, inspiring the statuary of the ethnic group. Both head of the kingdom ...


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240.00  95.00

Bwende fetish
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African art > The fetish, this emblematic object of primitive art > Bwende fetish

Ancestor statuette marked with keloid signs testifying to the successive stages of initiation to which the individual was subjected. A bilongo load is attached to the back. Sometimes set with ivory or earthenware, the almond-shaped eyes are encrusted with bone. Brilliant orange-brown patina.
Established on the plateaus of the People's Republic of Congo ex. Brazzaville, and not to be confused with the Bembe group north of Lake Tanganinyika, the small Bwende group was influenced by Téké rites and culture , but especially by that of the Kongo. The Vili, the Lâri, the Sûndi, the Woyo, the Bembe, the Bwende, the Yombé and the Kôngo constituted the Kôngo group, led by king ntotela. Their kingdom reached its peak in the 16th century with the trade in ivory, copper and the slave trade. With ...


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95.00  75.00

Manja figure
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African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Manja figure

Small figure with a heart-shaped face crossed by a long nasal bridge framed by button eyes. The hunchbacked torso includes growths representing arms, specific to the sculpture of the Ubangi region. The functions of these statuettes are comparable to those of the Ngbaka of the Mani-Yanda society, within the framework of therapeutic rites or in preparation before the hunts. Brown patina with reddish encrustations. Lack, abrasions.
The banda group, Mbanza, Mabanja, or Banza, made up of about fifty sub-groups, dispersed in Sudan, southern Chad, the Central African Republic, and the North-West of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It has various initiatory associations dedicated to spirits and uses sculptures. Banda sculptural traditions have influenced the ethnic groups of Ubangui, ...


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240.00  120.00

Ewe fetish
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African art > The fetish, this emblematic object of primitive art > Ewe fetish

African art and Vodun tribal worship of the Ewe and Fon populations
This sculpture represents a kneeling woman on a circular base, hands placed under the breasts. The physiognomy is crude. The whole thing is coated with crusty dark pigments. Desication crack.
In Togo, African fetishes are part of rituals according to the intentions of their owner. Witch doctors, following the fa divination ritual using palm nuts, make them to order to offer protective and medicinal properties, but also offer more classic ready-to-use versions.


The Ewe, often confused with the Minas, are Togo's largest ethnic group. They are also found as minorities in Ghana, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria. According to Hélène Joubert, the cults rendered to the Yoruba gods, the orisha, and ...


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180.00  90.00