Carved wooden janus magic sculpture with classic features, a well worn and well handled surface patina, brass pins in the abdomen on both sides and a small antelope horn driven into the head cavity to empower the sculpture. Songye peoples, Congo, Africa. The figure measures 11.5 inches tall. The Songye people called upon supernatural forces which they believed could be contacted and manipulated in their favor through power sculptures known as "Nkisi". The Songye regarded the wood figure as merely a shell, activated to full power only by the addition of bishimba, the sacred “medicine” composed of animal, plant, and mineral substances chosen for their magical properties. The content of the bishimba was often prescribed by the ritual specialist according to the desired purpose.

Fair, well weathered