Seated Figure with Back Charge (Nkisi)

The figure sits low, arms bent and hands resting near the knees, in a compact, watchful posture. The glass eyes allow the spirit to see what is hidden. The raised band across the forehead marks the edge of the cap or headwrap of a leader or ritual specialist, and red pigment on the cheeks, brow and limbs refers to tukula. A twisted collar of cord and earth circles the neck.

The main charge is on the back: bundled and earth-packed material with a rounded bundle at the centre and a hollow vessel, probably a gourd, at the lower back. These held the bilongo, and the nails that project from the charge each record an oath, a request or an agreement.

A study in contrasts: the polished, dark, finely modelled face, with heavy brows, a strong nose and closed lips, against the matt, earthy crown and back. The head projects forward while the charge pulls the profile back, creating a strong, tense silhouette. The round plinth and folded legs anchor the composition, and the layered surfaces show a figure used and reactivated over time.