African Arts Gallery

The Solongo cultures of Angola and Yombé were largely influenced by the Kongo kingdom from which they borrowed the naturalistic statuary and religious rites, in particular by means of carved nkondo nkisi fetishes. Piriform container with a cap, for powder, therapeutic ingredients or ointments. It is surmounted by a seated female figure, finely sculpted. It is probably the symbol of the mythical ancestor associated with fertility cults. Juxtaposition of decorative motifs engraved on the walls of the object. Matt patina. In the 13th century, the Kongo people, led by their king Ne Kongo, settled in a region at the crossroads of the present-day DRC, Angola and Gabon. Two centuries later, the Portuguese came into contact with the Kongo and converted their king to Christianity. ...

Ex-Belgian African art collection.
Statuette symbolizing the ancestor of the clan, perched on a turtle. The Kakongo (sing: Bakongo) used this type of sculpture to come into contact with their ancestors. The representations are often associated with proverbs or sayings only known to initiates. The turtle could in this case be associated with an emblem of the clan.
Satin black patina. Eroded parts.
The Vili, Lâri, Sûndi, Woyo, Bembé, Bwende, Yombé and Kôngo made up 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. The Bakongo live on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, between Zaire and the Republic of Congo. In the same beliefs and traditions, they produced a statuary endowed ...

Embodiment of the king in African art sculpture. Of divine origin for his subjects, the king is depicted sitting cross-legged on the royal dais, unable to touch the ground. Both head of the kingdom and of the Bushoong chieftaincy, "nyim", supernatural abilities derived from witchcraft or the ancestors were attributed to him. He was therefore responsible for the survival of his subjects, whether it was through the harvests, the rain or the birth of children. However, these magical attributes were not hereditary. Light brown satin patina. Cracks.

Piriform container with a stopper, intended to contain gunpowder for wooden rifle. This black powder was imported from Europe, which made it a luxurious commodity that was carefully preserved. This powder, which was also attributed with magical virtues, often completed the ingredients of ritual fetishes. The walls are delicately engraved with animal motifs and a decorative diamond pattern on the cap of the object. Dark satin patina. In the 13th century, the Kongo people, led by their king Ne Kongo, settled in a region at the crossroads of the present-day DRC, Angola and Gabon. Two centuries later, the Portuguese came into contact with the Kongo and converted their king to Christianity. Although monarchical, the Kongo political system had a democratic aspect because the king was ...