Antique Bakongo Protective Wooden Male Statue African Nail Fetish CONGO, Africa

Description

This is an antique, African, Bakongo, 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 nail fetish specimen has lite reddish pigment on the tongue and inside of the mouth, the power spot on the
chest is covered and sealed with a dirty piece of glass with a crack. This African nail fetish statue measures 21 inches tall by 9 1/2 inches wide and is 7 1/2 inches thick. The circumference around the waist of this piece measures 26 1/2 inches and this statue weighs 9 pounds & 10 ounces. This specimen is in great although worn and used condition with a nick in the wood of the colonial style helmet, a crack in the wood of the base of the statue, a crack on the side of the face and a crack on the upraised arm. 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. For buyers of multiple items please email me when you are done shopping for your custom made invoice with combined shipping & insurance fees.