Antique Bakongo Protective One Armed Amputated Statue African Nail Fetish Congo

Description

This is an antique, African, Bakongo, one armed, male figure, nail fetish statue 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 rare nail fetish specimen is of a one armed / amputated male figure which has glass covered eyes and a power spot on the
chest which is covered and sealed with another glass piece.This African nail fetish statue measures 16 inches tall by 7 1/2 inches wide with a circumference of 24 inches and this statue weighs 6 pounds. This specimen is in great although worn and used condition with chipping to the wood of the ears and nose and a crack in the wood of the body. I combine shipping on multiple items so be sure to check out my ebay store where I have thousands of items to browse.