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Lot Essay
Objet de vénération au sein d’un culte dédié à la protection et à la perpétuation du lignage, cette figure incarne à la fois la continuité de l’autorité et les devoirs inaltérables du chef envers les siens, même dans l’au-delà. Dans l’esthétique Kongo, cette posture - bunzama - symbolise l’homme avisé, l’image du chef idéal qui pèse ses mots avant de s’exprimer.
Ce nkisi se distingue par les insignes de son rang - bracelets et pagne - qui témoignent de son statut. Plus qu’une simple évocation mémorielle, la statue s’érige en gardienne du seuil entre le monde des vivants et celui des ancêtres.
Pour des exemplaires analogues, voir ceux conservés au musée royal de l'Afrique centrale (inv. n° EO.0.0.23467), acquis en 1919, celui de la Yale University Art Gallery (inv. n° 1997.58.1) ou encore celui du musée Dapper (inv. n° 2581).
An object of veneration within a cult devoted to the protection and perpetuation of lineage, this figure embodies both the continuity of authority and the immutable duties of a leader towards his people, even beyond the confines of the earthly realm. Within Kongo aesthetics, this posture - bunzama - symbolizes the sagacious man, the image of the ideal leader who weighs his words before speaking.
This nkisi is distinguished by the insignia of its rank - bracelets and a loincloth - attesting to its elevated status. More than a mere commemorative representation, the statue stands as a guardian of the threshold between the realm of the living and that of the ancestors.
For analogous examples, see those housed at the Royal Museum for Central Africa (inv. no. EO.0.0.23467), acquired in 1919, the Yale University Art Gallery (inv. no. 1997.58.1), or the Musée Dapper (inv. no. 2581).
Ce nkisi se distingue par les insignes de son rang - bracelets et pagne - qui témoignent de son statut. Plus qu’une simple évocation mémorielle, la statue s’érige en gardienne du seuil entre le monde des vivants et celui des ancêtres.
Pour des exemplaires analogues, voir ceux conservés au musée royal de l'Afrique centrale (inv. n° EO.0.0.23467), acquis en 1919, celui de la Yale University Art Gallery (inv. n° 1997.58.1) ou encore celui du musée Dapper (inv. n° 2581).
An object of veneration within a cult devoted to the protection and perpetuation of lineage, this figure embodies both the continuity of authority and the immutable duties of a leader towards his people, even beyond the confines of the earthly realm. Within Kongo aesthetics, this posture - bunzama - symbolizes the sagacious man, the image of the ideal leader who weighs his words before speaking.
This nkisi is distinguished by the insignia of its rank - bracelets and a loincloth - attesting to its elevated status. More than a mere commemorative representation, the statue stands as a guardian of the threshold between the realm of the living and that of the ancestors.
For analogous examples, see those housed at the Royal Museum for Central Africa (inv. no. EO.0.0.23467), acquired in 1919, the Yale University Art Gallery (inv. no. 1997.58.1), or the Musée Dapper (inv. no. 2581).