Description: This is an antique, African, Bakongo, male figure, nail fetish statue with a removable carved wood spear which was collected from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. African Bakongo nail fetishes are protective statues or figures used by individual Bakongo tribal members, Bakongo families, or shared and used by the entire Bakongo village community when they are located communally. Bakongo nail fetishes were carved by the village woodcarvers and then the statutes were believed to have their powers activated by the hammering in of the nails and or other sharp metal objects which was normally done by the tribal shaman medicine man. These powerful fetishes were kept outside the housing compound to guard the owner and the owner's family from evil spirits, illness or bad intentions including the evil eye, witchcraft or magic. Nail fetish statues were normally made in the form of a male ancestor or a dog because these figures have the strong ability to protect, search out perpetrators and are ever faithful to their owner. Also, these nail fetish statues were used to swear oaths on or to finalize contracts as it was believed the power of the statute's spirit would watch over the transactions. Often a small cavity is present on the statue that contains power ingredients such as roots, herbs or other objects which is covered by a piece of glass or mirror - this is often called the power spot. This nail fetish specimen has glass covered eyes, and facial paint with a square power spot on the chest which is covered and sealed with a glass piece. This African nail fetish statue has a removable horse hand carved wooden spear which is not as old as the nail fetish. This large African fetish measures 43 inches tall by 14 inches wide with a depth of 10 inches and this statue weighs 29 pounds and 2 ounces. This specimen is in great although worn and used condition with a few cracks, wear to the feathers and some old wear to the base in the back. I am always happy to combine shipping on multiple items so be sure to check out my ebay store where I have thousands of items to browse.
Price: 2640 USD
Location: Williams, Oregon
End Time: 2023-12-19T16:01:21.000Z
Shipping Cost: 800 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Maker: Bakongo Tribal People
Material: Wood, Metal, Pigment
Color: Multi-Color
Tribe: Bakongo
Original/Reproduction: Original
